Odion Ighalo has achieved his dream of reaching the Premier League and the Watford striker believes the Hornets will be capable of remaining in the top flight.

The Golden Boys clinched automatic promotion from the Championship yesterday after holding their nerve in one of the closest races for a top two finish in recent memory.

And it means Watford will be travelling to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United next season – a prospect Ighalo set his sights on when he arrived at Vicarage Road last summer.

“Playing in the Premier League is one of my dreams," he said. "I have played in Serie A and La Liga and I came to England not to play in the Championship, I saw the team had everything to win promotion.

“So I thank God my contribution was good and I thank God that we are in the Premier League. I am looking forward to the Premier League next season.”

He added: “When I was in Nigeria everyone would watch the Premier League. Now I will play in it every weekend.

“My family and everyone is very happy and they have sent me messages saying they are looking forward to watching me in the Premier League next season.”

Watford are already tipped for a battle against relegation next season but Ighalo believes the Hornets are more than capable of staying up.

He explained: “You see we are playing together as a team but we need to see now who can play in the Premier League.

“We understand the way we play and after a couple of months in the Premier League we will understand how the other teams play.

“I believe we can stay there. It won’t be easy but I believe we can compete.”

Ighalo has experience of a top flight European league. He played for Udinese in Serie A and helped Granada clinch promotion to and then remain in La Liga.

The 25-year-old believes he will be capable of performing in Premier League but admits he may need a small period of adjustment.

He said: “I have played in the Italian league and in the Spanish league and I don’t think there will be too much difference.

“The tempo is very high but I will work hard. When this season started I was not playing and I wasn’t used to the Championship.

“Once I got used to the league you saw I can give my best. So I am happy and I am looking to showcase my talent in the Premier League.”

Watford discovered they had sealed their place in the top flight on the club’s team coach. The Hornets were travelling back from their victory at Brighton and Hove Albion when promotion was confirmed.

“We were watching on our phones and listening for the Middlesbrough and Norwich (City) results,” Ighalo said.

“Everyone started jumping inside of the bus [when Middlesbrough lost at Fulham and Norwich drew at Rotherham United]. That is what we were waiting for.

"We hoped that if we won our game and results went our way we would be in the Premier League. That is what happened and we are very happy.

“We thank God and we have achieved our dream for this season. We are looking forward to the Premier League.”

But one Championship fixture remains and Watford’s home match with Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday will not just be an opportunity for the Hornets’ players to receive adulation from the supporters.

Victory over the Owls will ensure the Golden Boys win the Championship title for the first time in their history.

“We still have a job to do next Saturday,” Ighalo said. “We have to win and make sure we are the champions.

“Promotion is done but we want to win the title."

He continued: “We will celebrate promotion for two or three days but everything is in our hands. We have to think about the game on Saturday and we can win.

“The spirit is high and we know we have gained promotion. So we need to complete the job on Saturday and we will be first in the Championship.”

Tickets are virtually sold out for Watford’s final game of the season and Ighalo, as always, had a message for the Golden Boys faithful.

He said: “The fans are amazing and they have been amazing from day one. They are Premier League fans so I am looking forward to having them in the Premier League with us.”