Jose Holebas has left Watford and returned to Germany prior to the end of his temporary contract extension.

The Greek international arrived at Vicarage Road from Roma back in 2015, a deal he claims was done behind his back.

Despite the Hornets having an important game coming up this weekend against Arsenal that could either see them stay in the Premier League or be relegated to the Championship, the full-back has come to an agreement with the club to allow him to leave prematurely.

Interim head coach Hayden Mullins confirmed his departure this afternoon and said that he was not unhappy with the decision to let one of his squad members go before the game at the Emirates.

"Jose has been given permission from the club to leave, I think his contract was coming to an end. I'm not filled in on everything that goes on, but I know he's been given permission to leave," said Mullins.

"The club have been happy with that and that's the situation it is.

"If the club and Jose have made a decision and they want to part ways then I'm fine with that. We've got a squad who we've had the whole season, they've been working well the last two days. They look ready, they look fit and that's what we're concentrating on."

Holebas made 124 appearances for the Hornets, scoring six times and picking up a total of 41 yellow cards.

In July last year, he said he would be returning to Germany at the end of his deal with Watford, but that he would not be playing football any more.

"I'm sure I'm going back to Germany - but definitely not for football," he said.

"I'm completely away from football after that. I will watch a bit the games of my cousin's son, who plays for the Kickers Offenbach youth team, and that's enough for me."