Gabriele Angella has admitted that leaving Watford did not turn out to be the best decision for his career.

The 30-year-old defender was a part of the Hornets side that got promotion five years ago.

However, he went to QPR soon after and he has not recovered since, currently plying his trade in Serie B with Perugia.

"I absolutely feel the promotion was mine," he is quoted as saying by Watford Observer.

"I think a lot about those days and harbour a lot regrets because my career changed for the worse since I left Watford. I have regrets because I feel that I deserved a chance to play and test myself in the Premier League.

"My former partner [Craig] Cathcart, who went on to prove that he is a quality player, got a chance and I think that I also warranted a chance to showcase my skills because I definitely feel not inferior to him or to anyone else that came after me. But that's how football is. There are many components that describe and influence a footballer's career.

"That said, I am sure I could have held my own with Watford in the Premier League and I also made those feelings known within the club before I left for QPR. But I did not only say it, I also did my talking on the pitch in the few games that I played in pre-season, such as in the old Capital One Cup.

"By putting in a great performance that day I proved that I could cut it at the highest level. But then a new manager came in. Initially Quique Sanchez Flores told the media that I was good enough for the Premier League, then he sold me."