Watford Head Coach Valérien Ismaël has explained the transfer of striker Rhys Healey to fellow Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town.
Healey, who joined the Hornets in the summer on a two-year deal after three years with French side Toulouse, today completed a move away for an undisclosed fee.
Ismaël explained the thinking behind the deal and also thanked Healey for his contribution at Vicarage Road.
"Rhys came a couple of weeks ago and told me that he wanted to leave," he said.
"At the beginning we were not able to give him what he wanted, because we thought that we still had the possibility to let him play, to have some minutes with us and be an important part of our process.
"But he started to push more and more and in the end, if a player wants to leave then you cannot retain him and force him to play for us.
"If he wants to do something else you have to see then what is the best, and what is the best for the club as well."
Ismaël confirmed that the club will now look to replace Healey.
"In the end I think the club made a good deal, Rhys got what he wanted and it gives us the possibility now to go into the market and find a player," he said.
"When he finally found his rhythm he got injured, and it was a very tough first half of the year but I think that the last month he has shown his mentality to come back, to be focused on himself and to help the team to perform.
"For us it was in our thoughts to count on him and show him that we need everyone. But at some point there is a final decision to see how much is the player committed to stay or leave, and Rhys made it clear he wanted to leave. We want to keep players who enjoy to stay and to play for Watford."
Healey made 13 appearances for the Hornets, scoring twice. His goals were both important - a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Southampton and then a late winner in the 2-1 success at Blackburn Rovers.
"We are grateful for his time with us and we thank Rhys for his commitment to us, adding some points on the board with his performances," Ismaël said. "We wish him good luck."
