Katy Watson

Katy Watson
Watson playing for Sunderland in 2023
Personal information
Full name Katy Evelyn Watson[1]
Date of birth (2005-10-20) 20 October 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Sunderland
Number 25
Youth career
Sunderland
Sunderland & Gateshead
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Sunderland 47 (6)
International career‡
2023– England U19 10 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 July 2024

Katy Evelyn Watson (born 20 October 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club Sunderland and the England under-19 team.

Youth career

Watson joined Sunderland aged 9, after trialing for Newcastle United. Along with her teammates at senior level, she played boys football prior to joining the girls team.[2][3]

Watson played for Sunderland & Gateshead under-14s, scoring 10 goals in 13 appearances,[4] followed by scoring 6 goals in as many games for the under-16s.[5] She went on to play for Sunderland's under-21 side, scoring a combined 10 goals in 5 appearances for the A and B teams.[6][7]

Club career

On 28 January 2022, Sunderland announced the signing of Watson to the first team.[8]

On 28 March 2022, Watson scored her debut senior goal for Sunderland against Watford within seven minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute, helping the team to win 2–1.[9]

On 25 October 2023, after 39 appearances for Sunderland, Watson signed her first professional contract with the club aged 18.[2] She was subsequently voted Women's Young Player of the Year for 2023 by the North East Football Writers.[10]

International career

On 5 April 2023, Watson scored her debut goal for the England under-19 team in a 2023 U19 Championship qualification match against Slovenia, a last minute equaliser to secure a 1–1 draw.[11]

In October 2023, for 2024 U19 Championship qualification, Watson scored in injury time against Greece in a 2–0 win, followed by the third goal in the 6–1 victory over Wales.[12][13] She went to play in the second round qualification matches against Switzerland and Italy as the number 7 wide attacker.[14][15] On 14 July in the final tournament, Watson scored the second goal in England's 10–0 victory over Lithuania in the opening group stage match.[16]

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ Katy Watson at Soccerway
  2. ^ a b "Katy Watson signs new deal". Sunderland AFC. 25 October 2023. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Phil (18 March 2022). "Meet the future of Mel Reay's Sunderland - as they take their first steps in the club and international game". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Sunderland & Gateshead U14 | FA Girls' England Talent Pathway League". The FA. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Sunderland & Gateshead RTC U16 | FA Girls' England Talent Pathway League". The FA. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Sunderland AFC FOL U21 Women A | National Football Youth League". The FA. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Sunderland AFC FOL U21 Women B | National Football Youth League". The FA. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  8. ^ Mennear, Richard (28 January 2022). "Sunderland AFC news: SAFC Ladies confirm signing plus Jack Clarke pleased to be reunited with ex-Leeds and Tottenham duo". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ^ Fryatt, Chris (28 March 2022). "Katy Watson's first senior goal helps Sunderland Ladies to 2-1 win over Watford". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Katy Watson wins Young Player of the Year". Sunderland AFC. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  11. ^ Smith, Frank (5 April 2023). "Report: Slovenia 1-0 England WU19s". England Football. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Greece-England | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  13. ^ "England-Wales | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  14. ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Italy-England | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA. 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Lithuania-England | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  17. ^ Copley, James (27 April 2023). "Sunderland AFC news Danny Batth, Jack Clarke, Emily Scarr, Katy Watson and Amad Diallo win awards". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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