Watford defender Ryan Porteous is excited to get going in his new colours and meet the supporters following his move from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

Putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hornets, the 23-year-old racked up more than 150 appearances in his native Scotland, and making the journey south of the border felt like the natural next step in his career.

A key factor in deciding on his new home, Vicarage Road, was the ambition and stature of the Golden Boys, with Porteous explaining he feels it’s the perfect place to showcase his talents.

“I’m delighted,” he began. “It took a while to get everything done, but I’m delighted to be here and I’m excited about the challenge.

“The size of the club, the ambition, a top manager and top players as well. Watford have been in the Premier League last year, so it’s a massive step up from the Scottish game and I’m ready to test myself. This is the perfect club and the perfect platform to do that.

“I spoke to a couple of people [before joining] who have played in the league, like John McGinn and a couple of others. They talked highly of the club and spoke highly of the league and the challenge that it will bring me. I feel that I’m at the age now where I’m ready to step up and test myself at this level.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the supporters and there will be a lot of big games – Luton [Town] especially. Ever since I got off the plane that’s all people have been saying, to make sure we win that game!

“Vicarage Road will definitely have a good atmosphere and feel about it, and it’s the big games I enjoy when it’s sold out. They are the games that have stood out to me, and I’m looking forward to having big games every week. It’s an exciting part of my life right now and I’m raring to get going.”

The centre-half has gained plenty of experience from his time in Scotland, including earning his debut cap for the Scottish national team in September 2022, and he is looking forward to applying his attributes to the competitive second-tier.

He continued: “I joined Hibs when I was around 11 or 12 years old, and I spent a large part of my life there. It was a club that I supported growing up, and it was always going to be a difficult decision to eventually leave.

“If I wanted to progress my career the way I wanted to, I needed to make the step. I’m very grateful for the years I had at the club and the countless hours that a lot of people put into me, but it’s a new challenge in my career and I’m excited about it.

“It was a dream come true [to play for Scotland], and one of the reasons I chose to make the next step was to be a regular for Scotland and to get in every squad. I want to be a starter for them, and I feel like the platform that Watford can provide is one that will showcase the ability and talent that I want to try and show everybody.

“I want to build from the back and show quality on the ball. I like the physical side of the game and getting stuck in, and hopefully the fans will appreciate that. Off the park, I like to see myself as a bit of a leader and a character in the group, and hopefully a role model to the younger players as well.

“Anybody that I have spoken to about the Championship has mentioned how competitive the league is, how physical it is, and all the experiences I have gained at Hibs at league, cup or European level should help me. For 23 years old I feel quite experienced - I have played a number of games.”

Focusing on his objectives for the rest of the campaign, Porteous is adamant in his aspirations to reach the top-flight and prove himself alongside other defenders at the club.

“I want to get as many games under my belt as possible, help the team and ultimately we want to get promoted to the Premier League,” he added.

“[Craig Cathcart] has played at the top level throughout his career and he is definitely someone I will be looking to pick his brain and base a lot of things off his game because he is a top player, and clearly a top professional. I’m delighted to get to play with him and I look forward to learning from a lot of the boys in the team.

“I’m coming here to try and put my stamp on things, and I’m not coming here just to make up the numbers. I want to be here and I want to be playing.”