Carlisle Leaves Leeds For Watford

Watford beat off competition from Stoke City to sign the central defender as Leeds accepted £100k from both clubs, but the Hornets clinched a three-year deal for the 25-year-old. This follows the departure of midfielder Seth Johnson yesterday.

Carlisle was told he could leave by Kevin Blackwell after slipping down the Elland Road pecking order and Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd wasted no time in signing him up.

Boothroyd, a former Leeds coach, told the Hornet's website: "He is exactly the type of defender I wanted."

Clarke joined Leeds on a free transfer from QPR last season and made 38 appearances.

The former Blackpool trainee has initially joined on loan, allowing him to make his debut in tomorrow's opening fixture at home to Preston, and will make the move permanent on Monday.