McGinn has made a habit of scoring important goals in his short career

Watford have completed the signing of 21-year-old St Mirren midfielder Stephen McGinn for an undisclosed fee.

The product of the Buddies' youth system has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract at Vicarage Road.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson was disappointed to lose the Scotland Under-21 international.

"We have lost one of our talented young players, but everybody realises the gulf between the Championship and our top flight," he told BBC Scotland.

"It is the fifth richest league in Europe and the directors have decided it is the best thing for the club.

"These are difficult times. People think people are immune to that because of our new stadium, but that is not the case.

"But it is a good move for him and we wish him well."

MacPherson hoped that chairman Stuart Gilmour would give him some of the money to strengthen his squad.

"I have already asked him as we have a small squad as it is," he said.

McGinn wrote himself into the history books with the only goal of the game against Rangers in St Mirren's last game at their stadium at Love Street.

He also scored on his first start and on his debut for Scotland's Under-21s.

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That first goal for his club, in January 2007, came during a 5-1 defeat by Celtic, where his grandfather had been chairman.

He also scored on his second-ever start, which came the following season, once more against Celtic in a 1-1 draw.

His international goal came in a 5-2 win over Albania in April and the man with a habit of firsts also scored St Mirren's goal as they opened the current league campaign with a 2-1 defeat by Hibernian.

McGinn will not be available for Watford's visit to Doncaster on Saturday.

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