Sadler left Birmingham for football

Left-back Mat Sadler has said leaving Birmingham for Watford was a tough decision but one he had to take in order to get regular first-team football.

The 22-year-old, who progressed from the Blues Academy, moved to Championship side Watford on a three-and-a-half year deal, for a fee that could eventually rise to £900,000 - but stressed it was was not an easy decision to make.

Sadler told the club's official website: "The move went on for a while. It was probably about ten days ago that I realised it was really going to be happening and then it all finally came together on Wednesday night, but these things often make slow progress. I've been at Blues a long time and of course know everybody here.

"Footballing-wise it was an easy decision because I need to play regular football, but in every other aspect of my life with my family and friends etc being here it was obviously a lot more difficult. But Watford are a good club and they are in a decent position and challenging for promotion."

Sadler made a total of 58 appearances for Birmingham, his last being the 3-0 loss at Bolton on December 22. He could make his first appearance for his new club against Wolves in the FA Cup tomorrow (Saturday) as he is not cup-tied.