Glory youngster joins promotion-chasing Watford

Perth Glory teenager Aidan Coyne has signed a one-year contract with Watford in the English Championship.

Coyne makes the move from the Isuzu UTE A-League to England’s second tier – where Watford are looking to return to the Premier League following their relegation – on a first-year professional deal after a trial.

The 18-year-old defender – son of former Socceroo Chris – emerged from the Glory Academy and made five A-League Men appearances for Perth in 2021-22.

“The NPL WA season finished and I’d always had it in my mind that I wanted to come to the UK,” Coyne said via Perth Glory. “So, I booked the flight and came over.

“I didn’t have a club to come to. There were one or two clubs that I went to train at, but nothing really happened.

“Family friends let me stay with them for a month of two and then I got a ‘phone call from Watford saying that they wanted me to come in for a week.

“After the week, they asked if I could stay for another week and then another week and eventually they offered me a one-year deal.”

Coyne added: “I’ve been training mainly with the Under-23s, but I’ve also had some opportunities to train with the first-team.

“It’s been good to see how they conduct themselves and the ability they have, which is just scary.

“It’s almost a different style of play. It’s very physical, very fast and if you take too long on the ball, the chances are that you’re going to get smashed.

“It’s the way they use their bodies and how they execute.

“If you don’t close the ball down outside the box, they will score nine times out of ten; that’s something I learned in my first training session.”

Coyne made three starts for the Glory last season, having made his Perth debut in an Australia Cup tie against Melbourne Victory.

Glory’s head of recruitment Andy Keogh said: “We’re delighted to see Aidan pursuing his dream by signing for a great club like Watford.

“It’s fantastic for our club to see another talented individual make the move overseas.

“We wish him all the very best and hope to see him back in purple at some point in the future.”