Adelaide United FC utility Cameron Watson has proved what can be made of an opportunity when it presents itself after he secured a two year deal with the Reds.
Having initially come to the club on a short term contract as an injury replacement player back in July, Watson-s new contract is testament to how he has taken the chance to play in the Hyundai A-League with both hands.
Watson has become a highly versatile addition to the Reds- squad this season, his consistent performances coupled with his ability to step in and fulfil various roles on the field impressing Head Coach Rini Coolen.
“He has been doing well this season. He has proved he can play in several positions and he has played a lot of games, so he has showed himself well not only in the games but also off the pitch as a professional player,” Coolen said.
“He provides us with depth and has showed that he is an A-League player, and with his positive mentality, we think we can develop him for a higher level, so we-re happy to have signed him for two years.”
The 23 year old year old first came into the Reds- squad as an injury replacement for Fabian Barbiero before he returned to Melbourne and his Victorian Premier League club Oakleigh Cannons, then only to be called up again in October as cover for an injured Daniel Mullen.
Watson managed to stay on at the club on a temporary contract before eventually taking up a place on the club-s playing roster just before Christmas. His time in Adelaide may have been sporadic and without knowing of what lay ahead in his career, but now Watson is at the club to stay for at least the next two years and he could not be more delighted.
“It-s a big weight off my shoulders. It has been a busy month and I-m really glad to be with the club for another two seasons, and I-m really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” Watson said.
“When I first came here, obviously I came as an injury replacement and was just trying to take the chance that I was given then and hoping for anything really. I just tried to do my best, but I didn-t expect what has happened in the last four or five months.”
“When I first came I didn-t think that I would be signing a two year extension, but it has happened and I-m ecstatic about it and can-t wait to get on with what we-ve been doing.”
For much of Watson-s time playing for United this season, he has been used by Coolen to fill a void at right back, a position unfamiliar to the midfielder. However, the former Qantas Young Socceroo adapted to the role rapidly and has developed into a more than handy acquisition on the right side of defence.
“I had never played right back and the team had a few injuries and I went back there, and it has got better game by game and all of the boys have been really good, especially the boys at the back,” Watson said.
“I like it back there now, I-ve adjusted to it and the coaching staff showed faith in me and it has been good, we-ve won a lot of games and things are obviously easier when you-re winning.”
A product of the Victorian Institute of Sport and the AIS who has previously spent time playing in Holland and Portugal, Watson has made 21 appearances this season, and now with his immediate future secure, he cannot wait to contribute to helping the Reds towards a top two finish leading into the finals.
