Reece Brown signed for Barnsley for an undisclosed fee yesterday after the Reds after impressing on trial against Hull City on Saturday.
Barnsley agreed terms with the 22-year-old defender early in the week after he trained with them on Friday and played the next day. But negotiations with the Hornets, who signed Brown on a two-year deal from Manchester United last summer, have dragged on all week with the deal finally being concluded yesterday afternoon.
The brother of former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown has penned a one-year deal with an option for it to be extended into a second year.
"I am really happy to be here," said Brown, who spent 15 years at Old Trafford but never played for United.
"I just want to play as many games as I can. I didn't really get the opportunity at Watford to do that so this is best for everybody. The manager here said he had seen me before and liked me and that he wanted to see me against Hull. "He told me not to play with any pressure and I just went out and had a good time. I feel fit. I have been working hard over the summer. It was a bit hot on Saturday but I think the game went well for the team and for me."
While Brown shone at right-back against Hull, he says it is not his favourite position. He said: "I am a centre-back but I have played many games at right-back and I don't mind playing there. "I can also play in midfield, sitting in front of the back four."
While at Manchester United, Brown was loaned out to Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Coventry City and Ipswich Town before moving to Watford on a two-year deal last summer. He made just one substitute's appearance for the Hornets in the Championship. He has played 46 career games but never scored.
