Ryan Porteous has revealed that John McGinn played a key role as he clinched a move to Watford.
The Hibs hero has signed a four and a half year contract under Slaven Bilic with the remit a return to the Premier League but he has also learned very quickly about the local rivalry with Luton Town.
Blackburn Rovers were also in the market for the 23-year-old but he was sold on Vicarage Road as he aims to try to cement his place in Steve Clarke's Scotland team by playing every week in one of Europe's toughest divisions with Watford sitting in third place in the Championship.
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A phone call with former Hibs star and Aston Villa talisman McGinn convinced him he was making the right move. He told the Watford website: "I spoke to John McGinn and he talked highly of the club and the league and the challenge it will bring me.
"It's a big club with big ambitions, a great manager and great players. I feel it's a massive step up from the Scottish game but I feel I'm ready to test myself and this is a perfect club and a perfect platform to do that.
"Being a Hibs supporter growing up it was always going to be difficult to leave but I felt if I wanted to progress my career than I had to make this step.
"I have been told the Championship is very competitive and physical and that suits me. I like to get stuck in and hopefully the fans will appreciate that. I want to be a Scotland regular and playing with Watford can help me achieve that aim.
"The fans have already told me about the Luton game - and how we have to win that game. I love the big occasions, sold out games so I am looking forward to that."
Hibs boss Lee Johnson, a former Watford player, said: “Porto is a great example of how players from our excellent Academy can progress into the First Team and make a real difference.
“He has a strong will to win, and we will miss him. I have no doubt that he will go on and have a really successful career. We wish him all the best at Watford.”
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