Defender Hassane Kamara shared a farewell message to Watford fans on his Instagram account at the weekend.

The 29-year-old joined Udinese a year ago, but was then loaned back to the Hornets for the entire 2022/23 season.

However, he is now back in Italy and preparing for the new Serie A season, alongside quite a few other ex-Watford players.

In his Instagram post, Kamara said: “We’ve been through a lot! With you, I discovered the Premier League and the Championship.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing for this club in amazing stadiums, against top players, and of course with incredible teammates.”

Last season was another miserable one on the pitch for Watford, something Kamara recognised in his message to fans.

“I was hoping to give you back all the love you gave me,” he said.

"We may not have been promoted last season and I am gutted, but this past year and a half has been the best of my career so far.

“Thanks for both the roses and thorns. It’s hard to say goodbye. So let’s just say: until next time, lads."

Kamara joined Watford from Nice in the January 2022 transfer window for a fee believed to be around £4m.

He made 19 Premier League appearances as the Hornets were relegated, but his wholehearted performances won him the club’s Player of the Season award.

His move to Udinese a year ago came out of nowhere, and there were questions asked by rival fans and pundits about the £16m transfer fee – especially when he was loaned straight back to spend the whole season at Vicarage Road.

He made 32 appearances in the Championship, but blotted his copybook with two red cards.

The second of those, at home to Millwall on Boxing Day in the 38th minute, was particularly criticised.

Kamara has been capped seven times by the Ivory Coast, but the last of those came more than a year ago in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho.