Tom Cleverley believes the project Watford are selling to players is clearly working after Rocco Vata turned down a new Celtic deal to sign for the English Championship club.
Despite his lofty reputation coming through the youth ranks, Vata had to be patient for senior minutes with the Scottish giants, and opted to depart this summer as a free agent.
The Hornets will pay just £200,000 in compensation for the 19-year-old, who made six substitute appearances for Celtic's first team and scored in a 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle in January.
He has penned a four year contract, and former Manchester United midfielder, Cleverley, who is now head head at Vicarage Road, believes he's landed a highly-talented player and challenged Vata to hit the ground running immediately.
“It’s no secret that there was a lot of interest in Rocco, both in the UK and abroad,” the Watford boss said.
“So we have to be excited because clearly the project we are offering to players is appealing to them.
“Now we can’t disappoint, and he’s also got the challenge to secure his place in the team and fulfil the potential.
“But when you have a player who has a really determined and relentless character, they are the sort of people who generally do fulfil their potential and I see that in Rocco.”
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Cleverley emphasised that it was the young forward's mindset and work habits, just as much as his football skills, that attracted him to Vata.
He also elaborated on where he envisions the Republic of Ireland under-21 international fitting into the team.
“One of the metrics high up on my list for an incoming player would be how is his character, and Rocco is an absolute workaholic,” Cleverley proclaimed.
“He’s an animal in terms of wanting to improve himself and he is so open to learning.
“He brings sharpness and pace, which is something we have lacked a little bit of in the team, and he is a top finisher.
“I expect him to go straight into the first-team squad, which will push the levels of our other attacking players and challenge them for their spots.
“As a coaching staff, Rocco is a really exciting project for us and I am very pleased we’ve brought him in.
“In our system he will play as one of the No.10s but he can also do the No.9 role,” said Cleverley.
“He has qualities to run in behind with his sharpness. But with the way we’re going to play this season I see him as being one of our attacking No.10s, or inside wingers if that’s what you prefer to call them.”
