Costel Pantilimon says the "true love" he felt at Nottingham Forest made leaving Watford to join the club was a straightforward decision.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper signed a three-year deal at the Championship club after Watford opted to allow him to depart for an undisclosed fee.

His move comes on the back of a successful loan spell at the City Ground in the second half of last season in which Pantilimon played 13 times and kept four clean sheets.

With opportunities at Vicarage Road at a premium it is little surprise Pantilimon opted to leave Watford and he has now outlined the thinking behind his decision to work with Forest boss Aitor Karanka once again.

"From day one I said it is an honour to work with the manager. I really want to spend as much time as possible working with him," he told the Forest website.

"This club as well, I said from day one that the fans and everyone at the club really appreciate me and my work and showed me true love.

"This, in my opinion, is the most important thing for a player.

"I am so excited to get started again and I am glad to be part of this project again, so I am really excited to be at the training ground."