Albert Watson (footballer, born 1985)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 8 September 1985 | ||
Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Larne | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2001–2011 | Ballymena United | 264 | (9) |
2011–2013 | Linfield | 49 | (3) |
2013–2017 | FC Edmonton | 129 | (5) |
2018 | KR | 14 | (0) |
2019 | Ballymena United | 8 | (1) |
2019– | Larne | 0 | (0) |
International career | |||
2007 | Northern Ireland U23 | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:49, 3 June 2019 (UTC) |
Albert Watson (born 8 September 1985) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for NIFL Premiership club Larne as a defender.[1]
Club career
Early career
Born in Belfast, Watson made his senior-club debut for Ballymena United on 4 December 2001 in a 1–1 draw against Institute, at 16 years of age.[2][3] He attracted interest from Linfield in February 2008,[4] although any interest concluded when Watson signed a new contract with Ballymena a few days later.[5] In January 2011, Watson made his 300th appearance for the club.[6]
In April 2011 he joined Linfield on a two-year contract,[7] during which the team would capture two consecutive Premiership and Irish Cup doubles.[8]
FC Edmonton
On 18 January 2013, it was announced that Watson, along with teammate Daryl Fordyce would not return to Linfield the following season, instead seeking new playing opportunities in Canada.[9] On 25 February 2013, it was reported that both Watson and Fordyce would join FC Edmonton.[10] Watson was named FC Edmonton captain prior to the 2013 NASL season, and after missing the first few months due to a torn MCL,[11]
After the 2015 NASL season, Watson signed with the club for a fourth season.[12] In August 2016, would go on to become the first player to make 100 appearances for the club.[13] After FC Edmonton surrendered a league low 21 goals in 32 games during the 2016 NASL season, Watson was named to the NASL Best 11 for the second time in the 2016 season.[14]
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur
On 13 March 2018, he joined Icelandic team KR.[15]
Return to Ballymena United
In January 2019 he returned to Ballymena United.[16]
Larne
On 3 June 2019, it was announced that Watson had signed on a full-time deal for Larne.[17]
International career
Watson has captained the Northern Irish under-23 side.[18]
References
- ^ Albert Watson at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Player profile at Ballymena United F.C." Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "Player profile at WalkTheChalk.com".
- ^ "Braid star Watson interests Blues". BBC Sport. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Watson agrees deal with Sky Blues". BBC Sport. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Albert clocks up 300th United appearance". Ballymena Times. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Albert Watson leaves Ballymena United for Linfield". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Crusaders 1–4 Linfield". BBC Sport. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
- ^ "Daryl Fordyce and Albert Watson to leave champions Linfield". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- ^ "Watson and Fordyce will be part of 17 signings announced by Eddies on Monday". the11.ca. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- ^ Robert Tychkowski (25 May 2013). "FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson draws in". Edmonton Sun.
- ^ Brian Swane (20 November 2015). "FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson re-signs with Eddies". Edmonton Sun.
- ^ Derek van Diest (17 August 2016). "FC Edmonton defender Albert Watson to suit up for 100th game for club Saturday". Edmonton Sun.
- ^ NASL staff (14 November 2016). "North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI". NASL.com.
- ^ "Albert Watson til KR". kr.is. 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Albert Watson: Former Linfield defender makes return to Ballymena United". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Larne announce signing of veteran Irish League defender Albert Watson". belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Jeffrey impressed by NI U23 squad". BBC Sport. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- 1985 births
- Living people
- Association footballers from Northern Ireland
- Ballymena United F.C. players
- Linfield F.C. players
- FC Edmonton players
- Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur players
- NIFL Premiership players
- North American Soccer League players
- Association football defenders
- Expatriate association footballers from Northern Ireland
- Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Canada
- Expatriate soccer players in Canada
- Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Iceland
- Expatriate footballers in Iceland
- Larne F.C. players