Alex Kacaniklic has thanked Watford for aiding his development with a crucial loan spell that helped propel him in the Fulham first-team picture.

The Swedish winger, who starred as a substitute on his Fulham debut against Norwich City on Saturday, hadn’t played a senior game before reserve coach Ray Lewington persuaded the 20 year-old to take up the opportunity of youth loan at Vicarage Road. The former Liverpool midfielder was so impressive with the Championship club, scoring once in twelve appearances, that Martin Jol opted to recall him early last week and put him straight into the first-team squad.

Speaking to the Watford official website, Kacaniklic was grateful for the experience:

Ray said to me before I came to Watford that it was a great club for a young player to go to – and he was right. I didn’t realise just how good though. The lads always give everything in training and games – and they always want more from each other, which I think is something special to have in a squad. I’m really very grateful to everyone at the club for having me.