Brentford have completed the loan signing of Wigan Athletic defender Rob Kiernan.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international trained with The Bees this morning and signed this afternoon.
The 21-year-old has agreed a deal to stay at Griffin Park until January 2 but will not be able to play in any upcoming FA Cup ties.
The tall central defender came through the youth ranks at Watford and had loan spells at Bradford City and Yeovil Town among others before leaving in the summer of 2011 and signing for Premier League Wigan.
He spent a month on loan at Burton Albion earlier this season and played six games for the npower League Two club.
Mark Warburton, Brentford FC Sporting Director, was at Watford when Rob was in The Hornets’ Football Academy.
He said: “Rob is a product of the Watford Academy, where he spent 10 years before moving on to pastures new.
“He spent a week with Brentford during the summer of 2011, joining in with pre-season training, and whilst we were very eager to sign him, he was snapped up by Wigan.
“Rob has developed well under the guidance of Roberto Martinez and is very highly thought of at the club.
“Rob is a talented footballing central defender who we are delighted to welcome to Griffin Park, albeit on a short term basis.”
Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said: “Rob is a player who I know, one who has been with us before.
“We had him here last summer and he has made big strides at Wigan since then.
“He has been on loan to Burton and now Roberto Martinez and everybody at Wigan think he is ready for the next step.
“We have been looking for somebody who has the qualities that Rob has, and that is why we have brought him in.
“I know what Rob is about and I have already seen him in training.
“I have got a good relationship with Roberto Martinez and we have been following Rob closely, not just now when we have been trying to get him but for a long time.
“We never really lost contact, I was always asking after Rob.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Rob Kiernan shortly.