Watford defender Gabriele Angella says he has no plans to leave the Hornets this summer as he wants to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League.

The centre-back arrived at Vicarage Road from fellow Pozzo-owned club Udinese in the summer of 2013 and has become a mainstay of the Golden Boys defence.

The 26-year-old has made 81 appearances for Watford but has been linked with a return to Italy on several occasions during his two seasons at the club.

In January, Udinese owner Gianpaolo Pozzo – the father of the Hornets’ owner Gino – said Angella wanted to head back to his home country but a move wouldn’t happen during the 2014/15 season.

That campaign ended with Watford clinching their place in the Premier League. It was an achievement celebrated with an open-top bus parade through Cassiobury Park and, at that event, Angella was asked about his future at Watford.

“Playing in the Premier League was the first dream I had when I came to Watford. That was the project,” he said. “I want to stay here at Watford but we will see what happens. In football you never know but I want to stay here and play in the Premier League.”

He added: “I like it so much here in England. The stadiums are always full and very loud. English football is my type of football.”

Since the Pozzo family’s takeover in June 2012 the target has always been for Watford to reach the Premier League. Next season they will be in the top flight.

Trips to the likes of Anfield, Old Trafford and St James’ Park await for the Golden Boys but Angella has his eye on one club in particular; Chelsea.

The Hornets were beaten by the Premier League champions in the FA Cup in January and the Italian defender is looking forward to reacquainting himself with Blues striker Diego Costa.

He said: “I really want to play again against Diego Costa, if you watch our match then you can understand why.

“But I am looking forward to playing against every team in the Premier League. I am looking forward to it.

“It will be hard but we already have quality.

“With some new players we can improve as a group. We can do well next season.”