Middlesbrough are set to announce the signing of Diego Fabbrini from Watford on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Hornets in 2013 from Udinese, is believed to be heading to Boro’s training ground this afternoon to undergo a medical after terms were agreed with Watford.

The Championship side - according to the Teesside Gazette - were hoping to clinch a permanent deal for Fabbrini, however, the Golden Boys were only willing to let the one-cap Italian international leave on loan.

Birmingham City were also interested in the attacking midfielder following his successful but brief loan spell at St Andrew’s last season but appear to have missed out on his signing. 

Fabbrini has made just 29 appearances for the Hornets since arriving at Vicarage Road two years ago and was one of five players Slavisa Jokanovic stopped training with the Watford first team midway through the previous campaign.

He subsequently joined Millwall on loan last January for two months before a five-game stint with Birmingham followed.