Watson Joins The Nomads

Connah’s Quay Nomads are delighted to confirm the signing of 19-year-old defender, Rhys Watson.

Watson joins The Nomads having spent the past couple of years as a Scholar at Stockport County where he made his debut for the First Team in the EFL Cup against Blackburn Rovers and also featured in the EFL Trophy in fixtures against Wolves U21 and Harrogate Town.

Watson has also been selected on multiple occasions to represent Wales at International level both at U18 and U19 level and played the full game in some recent memorable victories over both Japan and the Netherlands and as a trialist came on as a second half substitute against Hednesford Town in last weekend’s 1-1 draw.

On joining The Nomads, Rhys commented; “The team has high standards and big ambition. I’m really impressed with the manager and his vision for both the club and myself. I’m excited to represent Connah’s Quay and show what I can do.”

First Team Manager, John Disney added; “We are delighted to announce the signing of Rhys who becomes the next player finishing a pro contract with an EFL club to come and join ourselves and join the Cymru Premier.

Rhys is an extremely versatile left footed defender that has fantastic natural attributes and has developed his game at Stockport County breaking all the way into the first team whilst he was there.

He is another young player we have brought in with International caps and experience having represented Wales at U18 and U19 level - Rhys is someone that I have had an eye on since the end of last season and although Rhys was in over the summer at a number of EFL clubs he understands the opportunity that playing in a senior environment brings. He is exactly the profile of player that we are looking to sign and boost our full time model whilst also having a real desire of doing well individually whilst also helping the club continually develop.  

Rhys has trained with us for the last few weeks and impressed us as one of the trialists from the weekend’s game against Hednesford and we are delighted that he and his family have decided to continue his development with ourselves at Connahs Quay Nomads ahead of the season starting - it highlights the progress we continue to make as a club that he is aware of Kit Margeston and Jacob Cook’s international call ups for the Welsh youth teams and we are confident he can be the next player for us to represent Wales in those next camps.”

Rhys will wear the number 21 shirt at The Nomads and is available for immediate selection.

Date Published: Friday, 31st July, 2026 - 4:00pm by Nik Mesney