By John Sinnott

Poom played just two games for Arsenal

Mart Poom says he opted to join Watford from Arsenal to give him the chance of regular first-team football and secure his place in the Estonia team.

Estonian international goalkeeper Mart Poom, 35, joined relegated Watford for an undisclosed fee earlier this month.

"I had one year left on my Arsenal contract," Poom told BBC Sport.

"But I was effectively third-choice goalkeeper and I was wasn't getting enough playing time. I still have ambitions to play regularly."

I've played more international games for Estonia than I have for Arsenal. Mart Poom

Poom, who has won 112 caps, joined the Gunners from Sunderland in August 2005, initially on loan but on a permanent basis from January 2006.

Poom replaces Ben Foster, who was on loan at Watford from Manchester United.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper made just two first-team appearances for Arsenal, his Premiership debut for the club being in the last game of the season against Portsmouth.

But the Estonian coach Jelle Goes was unhappy Poom's first-team opportunities were so limited.

Poom said: "It's strange because I've played more international games for Estonia than I have for Arsenal.

"I haven't played regularly for a club for three seasons, because in my last year at Sunderland I had injury problems after having three operations.

"I want to test myself and I want to play for as long as possible. I haven't set a date on when I'm going to stop playing.

"I've missed a lot of football over the last few years due to injury and I'm still hungry to play and to improve as a goalkeeper."

Despite playing just two games for Arsenal, Poom has no regrets over joining the Gunners.

"I'm still proud to be the first Estonian to have been part of such a big club.

"I want to thank Arsene Wenger for taking a chance on me after the injury problems I had at Sunderland.