Hornets attacking midfielder Alessandro Diamanti says Watford is a “new world” compared to his former Premier League side West Ham United.

The Italian joined the Hammers in the summer of 2009 and quickly earned cult hero status amongst Irons supporters thanks to his maverick style.

In his sole campaign at Upton Park, in which he worked under future Watford boss Gianfranco Zola, Diamanti scored eight times in 29 matches and helped the Irons avoid relegation from the top flight.

However, a year after joining the Hammers Diamanti opted for a return to Italy and joined Brescia.

Spells with Bologna, Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande and Fiorentina followed before the 32-year-old opted to join the Hornets on a season-long from Evergrande this summer.

Diamanti’s first-team opportunities at Vicarage Road have been restricted to two substitute appearances so far but the Italian international has been impressed with the professionalism of Watford’s staff and players.

He told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I’ve found very modern football [at Watford].

“At West Ham everyone ate what they wanted. The workouts were simpler. In Watford you follow a specific diet.

"After the work on the field you do sessions of yoga and pilates and there is a lot of attention for the video part (analysis). We have an English teacher available too. It’s a new world.

He added: “The games [in England] never end. There is less pressure on tactics and a widespread sense of sportsmanship.

“But the real difference compared to Italy is the outside the pitch. The stadiums are modern, functional and comfortable.”