Darren Watson (footballer)

Darren Watson
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-08-10) 10 August 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Methilhill, Fife, Scotland
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Forfar Athletic
Number 17
Youth career
Kennoway
Fife Elite Football Academy
2015–2020 Dundee United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2023 Dundee United 58 (91)
2022 → East Fife (loan) 5 (14)
2023 → Forfar Athletic (loan) 6 (6)
2023– Forfar Athletic 15 (0)
International career‡
2019 Scotland U16 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:00, 15 August 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 January 2021 (UTC)

Darren Watson (born 10 August 2003) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish League 2 club Forfar Athletic.[1]

Early life

Watson was born in Scotland on 10 August 2003, he attended Methilhill Primary School, Methilhill, Fife before switching to St Johns Academy and was given a contract at Dundee United.[2]

Club career

Watson began his career playing youth football for Kennoway FC and at the Fife Elite Football Academy.[3] He joined the youth academy of Dundee United in 2015, signing his first professional contract in May 2019.[3] Watson made his debut for the club against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on 13 December 2020. He started the game on the bench, coming on as a substitute for Adrián Spörle in the 86th minute of the game, as the match ended in a 2–1 defeat for Dundee United.[4][5]

On 28 January 2022, Watson joined Scottish League One side East Fife on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. Darren returned to his parent club Dundee United due to an injury that cut short his loan stay at the Methil outfits.[6]

In June 2023, following his release from Dundee United, Watson signed with Scottish League Two club Forfar Athletic following a short loan spell the previous season.[7]

International career

Watson has represented Scotland at under-16. He played his first match against Australia U16 on 24 January 2019, as a half time substitute for Aaron Lyall. The match ended 3–2 in favour of Scotland.[8]

Career statistics

As of 15 August 2021[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee United 2020–21 Scottish Premiership 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2021–22 Scottish Premiership 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Total 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0
Dundee United B 2021–22 — 1[a] 0 1 0
Career total 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
  1. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup, in which age-restricted teams from the Scottish Premiership clubs compete against senior clubs

References

  1. ^ "First Team | Dundee United Football Club". Dundee United FC Official Website. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Darren Watson | Dundee United Football Club". Dundee United FC Official Website. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "THIRTEEN ACADEMY GRADUATES SIGN PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Dundee United 1-2 Rangers: Match report". BBC. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  5. ^ Pirie, Mark (13 December 2020). "Dundee United 1 Rangers 2 RECAP as Steven Gerrard's make it nine league wins in a row". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Darren Watson joins on loan". East Fife FC. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  7. ^ Smith, Ewan (23 June 2023). "Ex-Dundee United kids Adam Hutchinson and Darren Watson have 'very bright futures' as duo make permanent move to Forfar". The Courier. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Scotland U16 vs Australia U16". Scottish Football Association. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  9. ^ "D. Watson - Player Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 August 2021.