Watford defender Adam Thompson is set to sign for Southend United permanently today.

Thompson has made 11 appearances for The Shrimpers since he joined the club on loan at the start of the season.

The 21-year-old's Watford contract will expire in the summer and, with the club deciding not to give the player a squad number this season, they were open to the move.

Saturday's 4-1 victory over Millwall was the last game of Thompson's Southend loan but after the match manager Phil Brown confirmed he had spoken to the Hornets about signing the defender permanently.

Thompson broke into the Watford first team as a 17-year-old and made 11 outings as a second-year scholar.

Loan spells at Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet were to follow in the coming seasons before he linked up with Southend in the summer.

In total, Thompson has made 16 appearances for Watford since making his debut three years ago.