Louie Shaun Watson (born 7 June 2001) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a

defensive midfielder In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...

for club

Crawley Town Crawley Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Crawley, West Sussex, England. The team currently competes in , the fourth level of the English football league system. Founded in 1896 as Crawley Foo ...

Club career

Derby County

Watson made his debut for

Derby County Derby County Football Club () is a professional association football club in Derby, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system. One of the 12 founder members of the English Football ...

as a substitute in a 4–0 win against

Birmingham City Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. The team compete in the ...

on 29 December 2020.

Luton Town

On 1 July 2022, Watson joined Championship club

Luton Town Luton Town Football Club is a professional association football, football club from Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The club currently competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system. Nicknamed "The Hatters", L ...

for an undisclosed fee.

Charlton Athletic (loan)

On 1 September 2023, Watson signed for League One club

Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic Football Club is a professional association football club based in Charlton, south-east London, England. The team compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system. Their home ground is ...

on a season-long loan. On 30 August 2024, Watson departed Luton Town having had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

Crawley Town

On 21 February 2025, Watson joined

on a deal until the end of the 2025–2026 season.

International career

Watson was capped twice for England U15 in two friendlies against United States U15, before playing for the Republic of Ireland at U18 level. On March 26, 2021, Watson made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut playing 73 minutes in a 2–1 away win over Wales U21s. He made a total of 5 appearances for the 21s.

Personal life

He is the son of former

Newcastle United Newcastle United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football league system, English football. Since th ...

player

Steve Watson Steven Craig Watson (born 1 April 1974) is an English football manager and former professional player who is manager of club Darlington. As a player, he was a right-back or midfielder. He played in the Premier League and Football League for N ...

Career statistics

References

2001 births Living people Footballers from the London Borough of Croydon People from Croydon English people of Irish descent English men's footballers Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Men's association football midfielders West Ham United F.C. players Derby County F.C. players Luton Town F.C. players Charlton Athletic F.C. players Crawley Town F.C. players English Football League players England men's youth international footballers Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers 21st-century English sportsmen 21st-century Irish sportsmen {{Ireland-footy-bio-stub