When Steven Berghuis was first made aware Watford were looking to sign him this summer his immediate response was to get on his computer, open up Google and search Watford FC. 

Now that is no slight on the 23-year-old.  After all.  Have you heard of NEC Nijmegen, champions of last season’s Dutch second division?  Possibly not. 

It was essential Berghuis did his research.  He was being offered a chance to move to Watford and to the Premier League after an impressive season with AZ Alkmaar. 

Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven were also interested in signing him.  The winger had a tough decision to make.  And it wasn’t one Google could help him with. 

“It was very difficult because I had everything I wanted in Holland,” Berghuis admitted after Watford’s pre-season defeat against Sevilla last Friday. 

“I had my family, my girlfriend, I was playing good football for AZ and people liked me there. 

“So it was very hard.  If you want to make steps in your career you have to make tough decisions.  I wanted to play in the Premier League so I had to move. 

“But it is still difficult.  People don’t always understand that it is not always easy being a football player but that is the life.” 

He continued: “I didn’t know Watford at all but I did my research and had a think about my career. 

“PSV were also in the race so I had to choose between the two clubs or staying at AZ.  It took a little bit of time to decide.” 

Berghuis ultimately elected to join Quique Sanchez Flores’ Watford and has relocated to England.  He is living in Hadley Wood with his girlfriend and could soon be joined by his father Frank, who is in discussions to join the Hornets as a coach. 

“It was a plus [the possibility of his father joining him in England] but it was not a case of if it didn’t happen then I wouldn’t come,” he said. 

“They are still talking about it but it looks like he is going to give individual training sessions. 

“He was a footballer when he was younger and has been a coach for about ten years. 

“If he comes over he will live in the same building but in a different apartments I have my girlfriend with me.  We need our privacy.” 

But make no mistake about it Berghuis is pleased to have his family close by.  He is moving to a foreign country and will need to adapt to a different culture.  It is entirely understandable that he wants a support system away from the pitch. 

“I am someone who is sensitive to that [having his family close by],” he said. “ I like to have people around me when I go home from football.  So if I have a good feeling then hopefully I can show my qualities.” 

Berghuis had his first opportunity to do that when he started for the Golden Boys in Friday’s pre-season defeat to Sevilla.  He played 45 minutes, failed to make a significant impact and was withdrawn at the break due to injury. 

“I felt a little bit of pain in my lower leg which is why I went off at half time,” he said. “ I didn’t want to take a risk and make it worse. 

“I haven’t played a game for three weeks and I haven’t played 90 minutes for two months.  So I have work to do to get fit. 

“The main difference [between English and Dutch football] is a physical difference.  You have to get used to the tempo here.  You need to make sure you have breath left when you get the ball. 

“I felt [against Sevilla] I had to defend a lot and that meant when I did get the ball I wasn’t strong enough to make the difference in the attack.  That will have to change, that is for sure.” 

Berghuis wants and needs to impress at Vicarage Road.  The winger earned his first call-up to the Dutch squad last summer but didn’t play.  He is still waiting for his first cap for the Oranje. 

Berghuis accepts moving to PSV this summer would have given him a better opportunity of making the Dutch squad for next summer’s European Championships. “ You are more in the picture if you are in Holland because they watch every game.” 

But he believes Watford, and specifically the Premier League, gives him a better platform to develop than Holland’s top flight. 

“I think the standard is dropping in Holland,” he said. “ Only (Memphis) Depay has made a really big move to Manchester United. 

“(Georginio) Wijnaldum was a top player in Holland but he has gone to Newcastle.  And I’m not saying that Newcastle are a small team. 

“But back in the day you look at players like (Rafael) Van der Vaart and (Wesley) Sneijder.  They moved to Real Madrid when they left Holland.  So it is changing. 

“I could have gone to PSV but they bought two other attacking players this summer.  I then spoke with Watford. 

“When I came to London, to the training ground and, after speaking with the coach, I thought ‘I have to come here’. 

“The Dutch league isn’t as strong as other countries.  At my age, 23, I had to come to the Premier League.” 

At this stage in his career the majority of football fans across the world are unlikely to have heard of the Dutch winger. 

But if he is able to help the Hornets avoid relegation this season then you suspect Google may just receive a few more searches for Steven Berghuis.