Will Buckley claims Watford supporters did not see the best of the him during his time at Vicarage Road and has praised the fans for their support when he was under-performing.

The Hornets had previously rejected offers for Buckley from Brighton and Hove Albion but on Monday he completed a £1m move to the League One champions.

Buckley said he was “delighted” with the move to the newly-built Amex Stadium when he spoke exclusively to the Watford Observer on Thursday but had nothing but kind things to say about his former club.

He said: “It is nothing against Watford, it is just that I believe I am joining a club on the up and Brighton will be a good place to ply my trade and play my football.

“I have seen the work they have been doing with the new manager and the new stadium and it is a really attractive place to go. It is a club moving in the right direction and they want to go to the Premier League.”

“It was nothing to do with Watford at all,” Buckley continued. “I really enjoyed my time there, I have nothing but praise for the backroom staff and everyone at the club. They all treated me well since I joined.

“I will stay in touch with the lads, I made some good friends there, I just believe Brighton are going places and that is why I want to move there.”

The switch to Brighton will see Buckley reunite with former Watford striker Will Hoskins and the 22-year-old claimed the £500,000 capture of Hoskins did encourage him to move to the coast.

Buckley said: “I didn’t speak to Will before the move but I know what kind of player he is and when Brighton are spending big money on players like Will, you know they want to go in the right direction.

“That was a factor in my move because if you see a club spending money, you know what they are trying to achieve in the long run.”

Buckley believes his time at Watford was a successful one but claims the Vicarage Road faithful did not see the best of him as he merely showed “glimpses” of his talent.

“It was an up and down season last year, I am looking to be more consistent next season,” Buckley admitted honestly.

“People said I had a good season last year but I really do feel I have much more to offer. If I can find that consistency then I am sure I will become more highly-rated next season.”

Buckley, who joined the Hornets in a deal which eventually earned Rochdale £239,000, started 12 of Watford’s first 13 fixtures in all competitions last season but was then benched for the next eight games.

The forward was outstanding during Watford’s winning run around Christmas time and was then injured.

He came straight back into the side but failed to reproduce the form and was on the bench for six of the Hornets’ last eight games of the campaign.

“It does frustrate you being on the bench,” Buckley said, “but I did know why I was out of the team because the gaffer let me know what I needed to do and I ended up getting back in the team and performing well.

“It is always frustrating trying to get back into the side. I started the season playing every week and when you are out of the side it does get to you but you can’t let it affect your performances.

“Although it was frustrating, I knew why I was out of the side so it is good I had that communication with the manager.”

Buckley plans to speak to his former boss Malky Mackay, who is on holiday, in the coming days but talked to Sean Dyche this week – with the assistant manager wishing him luck.

When asked if he had a message for the fans, Buckley replied: “Obviously I wish the best of luck to the staff and the players and I want to thank the fans.

“When I first came in I wasn’t really ready but they gave me time and the Watford fans know they have young players at the club so they give you a chance.

“Thanks to the fans for giving me a chance and I really appreciated them not getting on my back when I wasn’t playing too well.

“I really do wish Watford all the best because I had a fantastic time there and there are no bad feelings with me leaving, I just feel it was the right move for my footballing career.”