FORMER Bradford native and Bantams Academy star, Tom Cleverley has been appointed as Watford FC's permanent Head Coach.

Since taking the role on an interim basis last month, the 34-year-old has guided the team through a run of seven Sky Bet Championship fixtures – five of which against teams in the league’s top seven.

The Hornets have lost just once during that period, keeping four clean sheets on the way to five draws and one win.

Having retired from playing through injury last summer, Cleverley, a former Bradford City youth star, made his first move into coaching with the Watford FC Academy in July, guiding the

Under-18s to second place in the Professional Development League table – as well as two cup semi-finals – prior to taking up the first-team Interim Head Coach position in March.

As a player, Cleverley shone in the Premier League for several teams including Manchester United, Everton, Aston Villa and Watford.

Speaking to Watford's official website, the former Bradford native and Hanson School student said: “It is a very proud moment for me. I think everyone knows what the club means to me and how much it holds a place in my heart, and now I am in real control of the fortune and the future of the football club.

“I feel very fortunate to be in that position, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility that I am going to embrace and work as hard as I possibly can to fulfil what we want to do as a club moving forward.”