After signing his contract at Hillsborough, new addition Almen Abdi says his decision to join Sheffield Wednesday was an easy one to make.
The attacking midfielder cited a number of reasons why Wednesday was the club for him ahead of the 2016/17 term, which kicks off a week on Sunday against Aston Villa at Hillsborough.
One of the biggest factors was the determined pursuit of the Owls to land their man and Abdi said:
“Everything happened very quickly and I can just say I’m very happy to be here, it’s a new chapter in my life and my career and I’m looking forward.
“I really felt that the effort Sheffield Wednesday made, made it an easy decision.
“They really wanted me and with the project they have and having spoken to Fernando and Daniel about the team, city, stadium, fans and everything else, it wasn’t a difficult decision for me.
“Fernando and Daniel spoke very highly of everything at this football club and that convinced me even more.”
Abdi spent four successful years at Vicarage Road, achieved promotion to the top flight and became a firm fans’ favourite.
During his first year with the Hornets – a season-long loan from Udinese – Abdi scored 12 goals and was an integral part of the squad that made it all the way to the play-off final, only to be beaten at the last by Crystal Palace.
But Watford and Abdi were not to be denied and were elevated to the top flight after finishing second in 2014/15 – a season that saw the midfield ace score nine goals from 33 appearances.
He continued: “I know the feeling of how it is to lose a play-off final.
“The first two weeks after that is really hard but I’m 100% sure the lads will come back even stronger and hopefully we can do it this year.
“It will be hard, especially with the likes of Newcastle, Villa and Norwich coming down but I see very good chances to be up there.
“It was a great experience with Watford in the Premier League, it’s a very tough league but I have been in the Championship for three years and I know this division very well.
“Obviously I like to score goals but for me the main aim is to help the team. Football is a team sport and from the very first day I will try and help the team to win games.”