Odion Ighalo says the Hornets’ pre-season training camp in Germany has allowed Watford’s newest recruits to integrate with the squad and the striker has been impressed with the latest clutch of signings.

The Golden Boys have added full-back Allan Nyom and combative midfielder Valon Behrami in the last nine days and both were on show for the first time at the weekend as Quique Sanchez Flores’ side stepped up their preparations for the new season.

Both players featured in Sunday’s final fixture of the week, a 2-0 win over SC Paderborn 07, and both caught the eye in a competitive – and at times feisty – encounter at the Benteler Arena.

Nyom, impressively for a player with little pre-season conditioning behind him, completed the full 90 minutes whilst Behrami was withdrawn in the second half having played almost an hour, in which he picked up a yellow card for a second robust challenge of the first half.

Speaking after the win, sealed thanks to goals in each half from Matej Vydra and Ighalo, the 26-year-old spoke about the importance of the trip and how it had afford the squad the chance to spend time together in the idyllic surroundings of Marienfeld.

He said: “Yes, of course [the camp has helped us bond]. We have been together for a week with the new guys and we are playing together, training together, eating together and playing some cards together.

“I think it is really good for the team. We have bonded and I think that really helps us.”

Giedrius Arlauskis, Sebastian Prodl, Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas and Vydra had all committed to the cause earlier in the summer so the real focus was on Behrami and Nyom in Paderborn and at Saturday’s open training session in Harsewinkel.

Both caught the eye as Watford put in a composed and thoroughly convincing display against the 2.Bundesliga side on Sunday and Ighalo too was suitably impressed with the newest additions.

“So far they the club have brought in good players: (Etienne) Capoue, (Valon) Behrami and Holebas,” he enthused.

“They have been great, working hard together and we can see today what they have put into the team. With the rest of us I think we have a good team but we still need to keep working hard to make sure we are ready to go for the season."

The Watford Observer's trip to Germany has been kindly sponsored by DAS Heating, Bathrooms & Lighting Supplies Ltd. Visit www.dasheating.co.uk/shop/ for more information.