Heaton set to join Watford (From This Is Local London)

Former Manchester United and Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton to join Watford

8:00am Friday 29th June 2012 in Latest Sport By Frank Smith , Deputy Group Sports Editor

The Hornets are confident Stephen McGinn will commit his future to the club and are also hoping to conclude their first summer signing in the coming days, the Watford Observer understands.

Watford have been competing with Ipswich Town and Bristol City for the services of Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton and we understand the Golden Boys have won the race for his signature.

Heaton started his career at Wrexham but moved to Manchester United as a trainee.

The 26-year-old spent five years at Old Trafford as a professional but did not make a competitive appearance for the Red Devils; spending most of his time out on loan, with spells at Swindon Town, Belgian side Royal Antwerp, Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

Heaton returned to Cardiff to sign a permanent deal in June 2010 and was often first choice goalkeeper during his first season at the club.

However, the Bluebirds were blessed to have two very good goalkeepers and when Malky Mackay arrived last summer, he was keen to have a settled number one and David Marshall just edged ahead of Heaton during pre-season.

Heaton did play in the cup competitions though and was instrumental in Cardiff reaching the Carling Cup final, which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

We understand Cardiff offered Heaton a new contract but he expressed his desire to leave in search of first team football.

There was speculation Watford midfielder McGinn was heading in the opposite direction and joining Cardiff when his contract expires on Saturday.

However, we understand City are not interested in the midfielder and we expect the 23-year-old to sign a new deal with the Hornets.

Watford’s players were at the club’s training ground for the first three days of this week for testing, ahead of pre-season which begins on July 9, and we understand McGinn joined the squad at London Colney.

McGinn has not played a competitive match for more than 16 months following a cruciate knee ligament injury but returned to ‘full fitness’ towards the end of last season, playing in several Reserve team matches.