So who was it that first told Juan Carlos Paredes that Watford were interested in signing him?

If you guessed his agent or his side at the time, Barcelona Sporting Club, you would be wrong.

Think Manchester United. Think of Ecuador. The answer: United winger and Ecuador captain Antonio Valencia.

“We were with Ecuador and I spoke to Antonio,” Paredes explained, via his interpreter Bazilio Ochen, to the Watford Observer on Wednesday.

“He asked me if it was true that I was going to sign with Watford. To be completely honest, I had no idea about the interest.

“The [Watford Observer] story had come out in England on the internet before I knew anything about it.

“After he told me he then said I should come to England. He said it is a good place to play and that the football here is beautiful.”

Paredes listened and took Valencia’s advice. He signed a five-year deal at Vicarage Road in July despite interest from clubs in Italy and Germany.

It is a decision he does not regret.

“England is a beautiful country and Watford is a very serious club,” he said. “Being here is a great option for me and I am very happy to be at Watford.”

The 27-year-old had never played outside of his native Ecuador. So when the Hornets’ bid was accepted Paredes had a big decision to make. He opted to swap South America for leafy Hertfordshire.

He said his wife and six-month-old son initially struggled to adapt to England but that had now changed.

He explained: “The first week it was difficult for them, especially the little one. But now they have settled in. We like it here.

“I do miss my family in Ecuador and I am very sad for my mother. I have not seen her for a long time. I am also not going to see her over Christmas and the New Year which is something we always spend together as a family.”

Paredes’ Watford career was delayed by his participation at last summer’s World Cup. He played every minute of Ecuador’s campaign and said the experience of competing in Brazil was “unique”.

Ecuador impressed but still exited at the group stage. After a short break Paredes was set to return to Barcelona but didn’t join up with the squad as a move to Watford inched closer.

The club’s chairman, Francisco Hidalgo, stated at the time that the full-back would be fined for ignoring their attempts to contact him. “After the World Cup I wasn’t a Barcelona player anymore,” Paredes said. “I was a Watford player so I didn’t have anything to do with them. That’s why I didn’t speak to the club.”

Paredes officially joined the Hornets on July 16 after Watford had begun their pre-season campaign.

The full-back was a notable absentee from the warm-up matches because his deal hadn’t received international clearance. He was left waiting until August 5.

“That was hard for me,” he said. “I would train with the team but then I wasn’t able to play in the matches. I would prepare all week but would then just have to sit out the games.”

However, despite not playing a competitive match since Ecuador’s 0-0 draw against France at the World Cup on June 25, Paredes was thrown into the Watford first team for their Championship opener against Bolton Wanderers.

“I was so surprised that I started the first day of the Championship,” he said. “It gave me great joy to know that I could play again.

“I think I did the best that I could have. Of course I came close to scoring that day. I was disappointed my shot hit the crossbar, that stopped me from having a beautiful moment.”

Paredes has gone on to make 17 appearances for the Hornets this season. The majority of those have come at full-back as part of a defensive four, although he has been utilised as a wing-back when Watford have played with a back three.

As a former midfielder, Paredes admitted he is completely comfortable when he attacks but doesn’t believe he has struggled defensively.

He said: “I have played for the national team as a defender for five years so I know what I am doing. As I used to play in midfield I like to attack when I have the chance. But I enjoy doing both attacking and defending.”

While squad rotation has been utilised by three of Watford’s four head coaches this season Paredes has featured in all six of Slavisa Jokanovic’s games in charge.

He admits the managerial changes at the club left him feeling nervous but only because he thought his place in the team might be under threat.

“It is the first time in my life that the managers have seemed to change every couple of weeks,” he said. “Every time you get settled another manager then comes in.

“It was a little bit worrying for me because a new manager could come in and not end up liking you.

“If that happens you could find yourself on the bench and that worried me. I like to play in all the matches.”

While he has settled on and off the pitch Paredes accepts he needs to improve his English.

He is having lessons but laughed when asked if they were going well.

Fortunately there are a number of Spanish speaking players in the Hornets squad and Jokanovic is fluent in the language.

So the likes of Heurelho Gomes, Fernando Forestieri, Gabriel Tamas and Gianni Munari understand Paredes’ nickname – La Hormiga.

Translated it means The Ant. Paredes said that he was given the moniker when he was growing up due to always being the smallest player in the team.

“It is a nickname I am used to now and I don’t mind it,” he said. However, he quickly added: “The Watford players don’t know about it though and I’d prefer to keep it quiet.”

Sorry Juan Carlos. We know all about La Hormiga now.