Albert Watson (footballer, born 1985)

Albert Watson (born 8 September 1985) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for NIFL Premiership side Carrick Rangers.[1]

Albert Watson
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-09-08) 8 September 1985
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Carrick Rangers
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)
2019–2023 Larne 107 (4)
2023- Carrick Rangers 8 (0)
International career
2007 Northern Ireland U23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:15, 1 October 2023 (UTC)

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, went on to be named in the NASL Best XI for the season.[11][12]

After the 2015 NASL season, Watson signed with the club for a fourth season.[13] In August 2016, would go on to become the first player to make 100 appearances for the club.[14] 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.[15]

Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur

On 13 March 2018, he joined Icelandic team KR.[16]

Return to Ballymena United

In January 2019 he returned to Ballymena United.[17]

Larne

On 3 June 2019, it was announced that Watson had signed on a full-time deal for Larne.[18]

Carrick Rangers

In June 2023 he signed for Carrick Rangers.[19][20]

International career

Watson has captained the Northern Irish under-23 side.[21]

Honours

Linfield

Larne

Individual

References
  1. Albert Watson at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. "Player profile at Ballymena United F.C." Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  3. "Player profile at WalkTheChalk.com".
  4. "Braid star Watson interests Blues". BBC Sport. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  5. "Watson agrees deal with Sky Blues". BBC Sport. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  6. "Albert clocks up 300th United appearance". Ballymena Times. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  7. "Albert Watson leaves Ballymena United for Linfield". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  8. "Crusaders 1–4 Linfield". BBC Sport. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  9. "Daryl Fordyce and Albert Watson to leave champions Linfield". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  10. "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.
  11. Robert Tychkowski (25 May 2013). "FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson draws in". Edmonton Sun.
  12. "NASL Unveils 2013 Best XI |". North American Soccer League. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  13. Brian Swane (20 November 2015). "FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson re-signs with Eddies". Edmonton Sun.
  14. Derek van Diest (17 August 2016). "FC Edmonton defender Albert Watson to suit up for 100th game for club Saturday". Edmonton Sun.
  15. NASL staff (14 November 2016). "North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI". NASL.com.
  16. "Albert Watson til KR". kr.is. 13 March 2018.
  17. "Albert Watson: Former Linfield defender makes return to Ballymena United". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019.
  18. "Larne announce signing of veteran Irish League defender Albert Watson". belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  19. "Albert Watson to add to his 531 Irish League appearances after agreeing switch to Carrick Rangers". Belfast News Letter. 2 June 2023.
  20. "Stuart King's impressive work at Carrick Rangers convinced me to join club, says Albert Watson". 2 June 2023 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  21. "Jeffrey impressed by NI U23 squad". BBC Sport. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  22. "Linfield beat Portadown to secure Premiership crown". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  23. "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  24. "Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  25. "County Antrim Shield final: Larne complete hat-trick with shootout win after lengthy injury delay". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  26. "Larne secure historic first Irish League title". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2023.
  27. "Linfield FC Player of the Year 2021-22 award presentation". Linfield FC. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
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