Brentford have completed the signing of central defender James Tarkowski from Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old has signed on at Griffin Park until the summer of 2017.

As part of the deal, an agreement is in place for James to return to Oldham on loan when the loan window reopens next Saturday, February 8, if all parties agree.

Mark Warburton, Brentford FC Manager, said: “James is a very talented young defender who we have monitored for a period of months.

“He is a good footballing centre half, he is comfortable in possession and has a good physique.

“We are delighted we have been able to get him to Brentford on a permanent basis.

“It will give us good choice at centre half and excellent quality in that position.

“James ticks the box for us in terms of his age and he has lots of development left in him.

“We think this is a very good piece of business for the Club.

“Initial plans are that James will go back to Oldham for a month when the loan window opens.

“He will come back to us later in the season and is a big part of our plans for the future.”

James came through the youth ranks at Oldham and made his debut for The Latics as an 18-year-old scholar in January 2011, against Brentford.

He played nine games in the 2010/11 season and turned professional that summer, playing 18 games in 2011/12 and scoring his first Oldham goal.

James played 26 games last season and has established himself at first choice at Boundary Park in 2013/14.

He has played 26 of Oldham’s 28 Sky Bet League One matches this season and 36 in all competitions, scoring three goals.

James spoke to Bees Player after completing the deal; see a full interview with the defender soon.