As a self-confessed Premier League addict you doubt Sebastian Prödl had to think too long about joining Watford this summer. His girlfriend may not have been so keen.

“I always watched the Premier League when I was in Germany. I was addicted to it,” the defender said.

“My girlfriend on a Sunday would want to go out for a walk but I preferred to stay on the sofa and watch the football. It’s always been like magic to me, the Premier League.”

This Sunday will be very different for the Austrian international. Instead of taking a seat in front of the TV and watching the latest offering from the English top flight, he will be taking to the field against Southampton at Vicarage Road. From viewer to a starring role.

In his first two games in English football Prödl has impressed. He has quickly established a strong partnership at the heart of the Golden Boys’ defence with Craig Cathcart. And at 6ft 4in he is built for the Premier League.

But before making the switch to Watford the 28-year-old contacted former Werder Breman teammate and current Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker. After speaking with the German, Prödl knew he wouldn’t be overawed.

“Per is a very nice guy. A very good person,” the Hornets centre-back explained. “He told me the players in England are even bigger than in Germany. And if you are as big as me or him then you like to play against strong opponents.

“He also told me the winter would be hard. In Germany I had two weeks off over winter. I am looking forward to Christmas but it will be very hard for us.

“We play Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City. There are certainly not many presents under our Christmas tree.

“But my friends and family will come over and stay with me at that time so I am looking forward to it.”

Perhaps Prödl’s relatives will fill him in on his cousin Viktoria’s latest exploits. After all, she is the most successful footballer in the family.

“She is captain of the Austria team, has won the German title and has won the German Cup with Bayern Munich. She is very successful,” Prödl said.

“When we were growing up we’d play against each other. Now, not so much,” he then joked. “But she is definitely more successful in women’s football than I am in men’s football.”

Perhaps that will change in the future. Watford certainly have ambitions to be more than just a side battling relegation every season. The Hornets want to thrive in the top flight.

Gino Pozzo has brought 13 new players to Vicarage Road this summer taking the number of different nationalities in the Golden Boys squad to 22. Not that Prödl has found it difficult to settle in.

“To be honest I don’t mind if we have two nationalities or 25 nationalities. We all speak English and we know what the manager wants from us. We know the tactics.”

So on and off the field Prödl has settled at Watford. He only has one stumbling block to overcome. Finding somewhere to live.

“The problem is the dog. It’s a cocker spaniel,” he said with a smile.

“Some landlords do not like dogs. In the apartments we like they won’t allow the dog. In the apartments we don’t like, the dog is allowed. I am sure I’ll find somewhere in the end.”