Fernando Forestieri has revealed that it “broke my heart” when he received the call to say he he was free to seek a move away from Vicarage Road – and that the ovation he received from the fans during the Southampton game will live with him for a long time.

And in an emotional interview with WD Sport this morning, the Argentine-born forward also told us that he was completely in the dark over interest from Leeds United and was upset by abuse he received from followers of Leeds on social media.

Forestieri was announced as a Sheffield Wednesday player on Saturday, after signing a four-year contract at Hillsborough. The clubs are thought to have agreed a transfer in the region of £3milllon, a good deal for a player who was never ever really first choice at Vicarage Road during his three years with the club and one whose maturity never matched his obvious talent.

The 25-year-old, who had just under three years left on his contract, harboured hopes of playing in the Premier League with the Hornets but that dream was dashed following a phone conversation with the owner last week.

“I’m very sad,” Forestieri said. “I didn’t want to leave Watford, I wanted to stay. I love the fans and I love the club. One week before pre-season the owner said he wants me and that I can be a big player here. At the last moment they change the idea. I don’t know what happened. This change everything and one week ago Mr Pozzo told my agent he could find another club for me because the plans change. That’s it – I had to leave Watford. It broke my heart. I cried in the night because my heart is broke. I didn’t want to leave. This for me is very sad as I have three beautiful years in Watford. But this is football. I understand.”

Forestieri said he never really had a conversation with Quique Sanchez Flores about where he figured in his plans but bears no grudge with the Watford head coach.

“I give everything, 200 per cent in training because I want my space in the Premier League,” he said.”I didn’t really speak with him but he is a good coach. In training he is very good with every player. He didn’t give me my chance but this is football.”

The fans were imploring the head coach to give Forestieri a chance when he was surprisingly brought in from the wilderness to earn a place on the bench for the Premier League game against Southampton. The forward warmed up for virtually the entire second half, shadowing every kick and header as Watford pushed for a winner. But the head coach denied him one final chance to be a hero in front of his adoring fans.

“I want to thank my fans very much for that,” he said. “Every time I went to warm up the fans sing my name. I was exited to play and wanted to play so much, even maybe for the last five minutes, but this if football.”

Essaid Belkalem has, we are told, trotted out for the Under-21s side in the last month to demonstrate to potential suitors he is over his injury problems. Forestieri, meanwhile, was recalled to the league matchday squad for the first time, against Southampton, amid rumours he was available for transfer. He had not a taste of action since a 26-minute substitute appearance against Cardiff.

Leeds were said to be the front runners to sign Forestieri but our sources told us at the time the deal was nowhere near as advanced as the media in Yorkshire were reporting. Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has since claimed Forestieri “didn’t have the right mentality needed to come to Leeds” but the Italy youth international forward told us he never even spoke to the decision makers at Elland Road.

“[Watford consultant sporting executive] Nicola Salerno has worked before at Leeds [as sporting director],” explained Forestieri. “One day I came into the training ground and he told me, ‘Nando, you need to go there [to Leeds].’ I said, ‘Wait. The Leeds owner has not talked with my agent.’ I checked by Twitter after training and everyone is saying I’m going to Leeds. I knew nothing. No-one speak to me or the agent, from Leeds. I’m disappointed and sad as Leeds fans were angry with me on Twitter. I’m sorry for everyone but this is the mistake of the director.”

Reading and Nottingham Forest were also interested but he opted for Sheffield Wednesday and the chance to be reunited with Lewis McGugan and Daniel Pudil.

“I know them very well,” he said. “They did not not help make the decision: I make my decision with my wife. I’m very happy than McGugan and Danny Pudil is there, though. Sheffield Wednesday really wanted me and after my agent told me about them I start to check out the club, check the players. They have a very good team, very good fans and have a really good project.”

Forestieri has had six loans spells already in his embryonic career and did not want another.

“I didn’t want to go on loan,” he said. “I need to do this for my for my career with a club who wanted me. I need to think about my next club and my future.”

Forestieri leaves behind a house he owns in the town and takes with him plenty of memories from his 80 appearances for the club. He left with a one-in-four goal ratio.

“I remember first game I played for Watford,” he said. “From then I have a good feeling with the fans. I knew this was my team and when the fans sing my name this is amazing. Lots of fans think a player is about money and playing. But this is not true. We have sentiment.”

Could Vydra be about to join Forestieri out of the exit door? Click below for the latest on the Czech forward.