Transfer deadline day signing Adlene Guedioura says he has learned from a frustrating two year stay in the Premier League with Crystal Palace before he rejoined Watford.

The all-action Algerian completed a protracted move back to Vicarage Road last Tuesday after enjoying two loan spells with the Hornets last season.

Less enjoyable, though, was his two year stay at Palace.

Guedioura is no stranger to last minute moves. He previously joined the Eagles from Nottingham Forest on the final day of the 2013 summer transfer window as one of a clutch of late signings by the then boss Ian Holloway.

The 29-year-old made just four league starts for Palace during his time at Selhurst Park. The last of which came against Stoke City in January 2014.

Three changes of manager failed to further Guedioura’s case for regular first-team action with Palace. And after establishing himself as a fans’ favourite during 17 committed, high-energy performances under Slavisa Jokanovic last season, he is back.

But does Guedioura feel he has a point to prove in the top flight after a disappointing time with Palace?

“Sometimes things don’t work in your career and it’s good to change,” he said last week. “That’s what happened at Palace.

“I’ve played in the Premier League before at Wolves. I had some great times there and we stayed up twice in a row which I remember well.

“At Palace of course things could have been better but I have learnt from that experience. And any time you learn something it is a positive.

“Now my mind is on Watford and helping the club stay in the Premier League. We want to match everyone’s expectations.”

Competition for places at Palace did not help the Algerian international. With the likes of Joe Ledley and Barry Bannan signing in consecutive windows as Holloway and then Tony Pulis sought to stamp their mark on the side.

At Watford Guedioura becomes the third central midfield addition this summer – whilst Ben Watson and Almen Abdi provide existing options in the same position – after the arrival of club record signing Etienne Capoue and the workaholic Valon Behrami.

But Guedioura has no qualms about waiting patiently for his chance.

“I knew there would be competition,” he said. “Will I get into the side? I don’t know. But it’s good to have that competition.

“We have a good team and there are plenty of good players. I watched Watford’s games and I knew there was quality here already. So I am looking forward to playing again.”

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder is the Hornets’ 16th signing of a hectic transfer window. Inevitably there have been departures too.

Matej Vydra and Gabriele Angella made sizeable contributions last season but despite signing long-term deals during the summer, were allowed to move away from Vicarage Road for the season on loan.

“Of course I am going to miss some of the players that have left because we had something special last season,” admitted Guedioura.

“I am sure everyone is happy with the transfers. Gino Pozzo has worked very hard to build this team.

“The club are building something amazing and I want to help the club grow.”