FOLLOWING Tamas Priskin's departure from Vicarage Road today (Friday), Watford boss Malky Mackay has spoken about the difficult decision in selling the striker.

The Hungarian has joined Roy Keane at Ipswich Town.

The striker had been offered a new deal on improved personal terms by the Hornets, but the 23-year-old turned down the proposal and has left the 'Orns for the fellow Championship club.

Mackay said: "I've known Tamas a few years now and have watched him grow as a player.

"We were in the unfortunate position of having a player with less than a year left on his contract.

"That being the case, from 1 September he could have run down his contract.

"There was no chance of us letting him go cheaply, but once Ipswich met our valuation it made sense to talk with them.

"As much as I'm disappointed, we have to look after the best interests of the club."

Watford boss Malky Mackay

Had Priskin stayed with the Golden Boys, the club would have been in a weakened position in January when negotiating any possible transfer.

The former Gyori ETO FC player could have also started talking to rivals clubs about a summer transfer.

He would then have been able to walk away from Vicarage Road in the summer of 2010, with the fee being settled by a Football League tribunal.

Watford Chief Executive Officer Julian Winter said: "The decision to sell Tamas was a club one with the support of our manager Malky Mackay.

"It was the right time for the player to move on and we had to take into consideration the time left on Tamas' contract and the fact our improved offer had been turned down by the player."

Looking at his striking options, gaffer Mackay added: "Tamas leaving us frees us a space for someone else to shine.

"Danny Graham has been exceptional since he joined and his attitude and application has been first class. He's delighted to be here and to be given a chance."

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