Jose Holebas claims it was not his decision to join Watford from Roma, admitting he was initially apprehensive after moving to England but is glad he made the decision.

The 31-year-old defender has the words ‘Don’t care’ tattooed on his knuckles but it is clear when it comes to the direction of his career that isn’t the case.

Former club Roma announced they had agreed to sell the Greek international to the Hornets on July 2 with Watford following suit soon after.

However, the following day Holebas gave an interview to the Greek website Gazzetta denying he had joined the Golden Boys.

“I haven’t signed anything yet, I have to see the contract first,” he said. “I don’t know why this has happened, I know that both Roma and Watford announced my transfer, but they’d have to talk to my representatives first.

“I never said I wanted to leave Roma. I’ll sign after first agreeing to the terms of the contract.”

The move was completed and Holebas has established himself as Quique Sanchez Flores’ first-choice left-back, starting three of four league fixtures.

But speaking after Watford’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City at the end of last month, Holebas revealed he had joined the club against his will.

He said: “It was a big story. The club had to make me move and it was their decision to move me. In the end I said ‘ok’. Rather than sit on the bench there because they have other plans, I had to take that chance and join Watford.”

“Now I’m here and I have to say I’m happy,” he continued. “In the beginning I was perhaps a bit apprehensive.

“I didn’t know what to do, it was totally new for me. I’d played Champions League football for a big club like Roma and now I’ve joined Watford and it was different for me in the head.

“It was not my decision to come here but now I’m here and happy. I like the boys, they’re hard-working and I like that kind of side.”

He added: “It was difficult for me as I was not ready for that. I was planning [for the season] with Roma and now I have come here so I have to live with that and I will take it.

“I’m happy to be here. I’m playing in the Premier League and we have done all right. We can do better, much better.”

The former Olympiakos defender has been encouraged with the Hornets’ start to life in the top flight but believes his teammates will flourish with their understanding of the league improving.

He said: “At the beginning, we had six or seven players who had never played in the Premier League and it was all right against Everton, we played well.

“But I’m really confident and I think it will be better now as everybody knows the league. We have to play forwards and play football if we want to stay in the Premier League and I think we will do all right.”