Alessandro Diamanti has praised the professionalism of his new club Watford, while taking a thinly veiled dig at former club West Ham United.

The 32-year-old Italian spent one season at Upon Park in 2009/10, scoring seven goals in 28 appearances.

However, Diamanti has been more impressed with what he has seen so far at newly-promoted Watford, telling Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport the Hornets are a 'more modern' club.

"I found a football club that is more modern. At West Ham everyone ate what they wanted, but at Watford you follow a specific diet," Diamanti said.

"After the pitch work we have sessions of yoga and Pilates. There is a lot of attention for the video part. We have an English teacher available. A new world."