Former Canaries midfielder Damien Francis has joined Watford on a three-year deal which could cost the Premiership new boys £1.5m - but the Canaries won't have the benefit of any sell-on clause.

Former Canaries midfielder Damien Francis has joined Watford on a three-year deal which could cost the Premiership new boys £1.5m - but the Canaries won't have the benefit of any sell-on clause.

When Francis left Norwich for Wigan one of the clauses in the sale have the Canaries 25pc of any profit - but yesterday's deal was for a similar fee as Paul Jewell paid a year ago.

Francis will be reunited with Aidy Boothroyd, now manager at Watford but a member of the Norwich Academy set-up during Francis' time at Carrow Road.

“Damian adds a lot of strength to our central midfield area,” said Boothroyd. “I knew Damien from my time at Norwich and he's a professional right to the end. Things have not happened for him at Wigan and that sometimes happens at some clubs, but I think that we're right for him and he's right for us.

“He's a £2m player and the fact that we've got him for the money we have is a real coup for us. Damien now, has got the opportunity to fight for a first-team place and help us climb the Premiership like we climbed the Championship.”

Francis began his career at Wimbledon and moved to Norwich in July, 2003, for around £250,000. He made 78 appearances, scoring 14 goals, but left last summer amid rumours that he had gone on strike at Carrow Road in a bid to get a move back to the Premiership.

Francis played 20 times for Wigan but fell out of favour with manager Paul Jewell.