Hard work can take you a long way and for Adam Masina graft will form the foundations of what he hopes will be a successful Watford career.

The Italian’s long-awaited transfer from Bologna to Vicarage Road was finally announced on Monday as he put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Premier League outfit.

He will likely be tasked with solving Watford’s issues at left-back - a problem area for much of last season - and is fast settling in to his new surroundings.

The 24-year-old’s delight at joining Watford is clear, even if delivered through broken English which one suspects will rapidly improve given Masina’s appetite to learn.

“I am so happy to be here and the first impressions are very good. I have found a good team,” Masina said.

“I want to improve everything I can. I want to get more physical, improve my runs , my technical ability, tactical position and will look to get better in every way. I will work hard.”

That hard work starts in earnest and Masina has already had the chance to get acquainted with his new team-mates in the first week of pre-season training.

While a matter of days represents limited chance for Masina to get used to his new surroundings, he says he has been pleased with what he has seen from both Javi Gracia and the rest of the Watford squad so far.

“To be with Javi Gracia is good I think. He is a good manager and person and I am ready for a new adventure,” he said.

“I have only had a few training sessions so it is hard to say what it is like to work under him.

“My team-mates are very good and I am so proud to be here with them. I will need time to adapt to this country and a new playing style, but I am ready.”

Gracia will be hoping that adaptation takes a limited amount of time given the respective failings of Jose Holebas and Marvin Zeegelaar last season.

Neither man convinced on the left side of Watford’s defence and the hope will be that Masina, who cost the Hornets £3.5 million, will slot straight in to the starting XI.

Masina insists he was unaware of Watford’s faulty left side before agreeing to sign for the club and understands a first team spot is not guaranteed.

“I didn’t know anything about the past and I am here to work. If the manager chooses me that is not a problem,” he said.

“I am looking to make my contribution and I am ready to do that. If the opportunity comes I am ready to prove I am able to start, but it is not a problem to wait if I have to.”

Masina will head to Austria with the rest of the Watford team next week as they get their pre-season friendlies up and running while at a training camp.

Gaining fitness and match sharpness will be key in defining the start of Watford’s campaign, which commences with the visit of Brighton on August 11.

Masina says little has been said of the club’s ambitions for the new campaign and focus is very much on the here and now.

“For next season it is too soon to say [what we can achieve],” he said.

“We will talk with the manager and decide what we can do next season.

“Now is the time to work and prepare in training and get in the right condition for the first game. Once we have done that we will be ready to decide what the goals are for next season.”