LUTON SIGN WATSON AND KLEIN-DAVIES

Two more signings have been confirmed today by Luton Town – taking the tally of new arrivals to 11!

Midfielder Kevin Watson, 34, who has been involved in the Hatters’ pre-season matches, has joined on a one-year deal after leaving Colchester United.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old 6 ft 2 striker Josh Klein-Davies has signed on a month’s loan from League One side Bristol Rovers.

Watson started his career as a trainee with his local side Tottenham Hotspur. As a youngster his first-team opportunities were limited and he went out on loan to several sides to build his experience, namely Brentford, Bristol City and Barnet.

In 1996 he was signed by Swindon Town manager Steve McMahon. Newly promoted to the second tier of the English Football League - Watson helped them avoid relegation.

Watson moved on to Rotherham United in July 1999, astute Millers' manager Ronnie Moore signing him on a free transfer. In his first season Watson helped Rotherham to promotion from League Two, narrowly missing out on the title.

Another promotion (and another title near miss) followed in the next season and Rotherham were promoted again into the Football League Championship. A key part of their rapid acceleration, Watson helped guide the team to survival by the narrowest of goal-difference margins.

After over 100 games at Rotherham his knack for promotions was spotted by then Reading manager Alan Pardew who at first, took Watson on loan before signing him permanently in March 2002 for £150,000 - where he promptly repeated the trick, guiding the Royals to promotion from League One, in his now customary second place.
His first full season at Reading saw the Royals into a play-off place, where narrow defeat to Wolves cost them a place in the Premiership. Perhaps tellingly Watson was on the bench for those key play-off games.

When former team-mate Phil Parkinson was installed as manager at Colchester United one of his first acts was to bring Watson to Layer Road.

Marshalling the midfield Watson played a key role as in his (and Parkinson's) first full season the U's stormed to promotion from League One, finishing in second place.

He had played over 100 games for the U's and was a key part of "The Best Col U ever" as the underdog U's finished their first season in the Football League Championship in 10th place.

Bristol-born striker Klein-Davies, 19, who has represented Wales at Under-17 and Under-19 level, has joined from Bristol Rovers on a month’s loan.

He started his career as an academy player at Bristol City before signing for Bristol Rovers in May 2007 after being released by Bristol City. He played in the Avon Youth League for Cadbury Heath FC from a young age and started out at Stoke Lane A.F.C.

In November 2007, Klein-Davies joined Yate Town on a one-month loan deal to enable him to gain first-team experience. This loan was extended for a second month, but the deal was cut short when Bristol Rovers recalled him to the Memorial Stadium in late December. He scored a total of five goals in eight League appearances for Yate.

Klein-Davies made his Football League debut on December 29th 2007, when he came on as a substitute for Andy Williams in a home match against Carlisle United. He scored his first senior goal against Huddersfield Town with a header from close range.

Upon his arrival at Kenilworth Road, he had made 10 appearances for Bristol Rovers, scoring 1 goal.
Story date: Friday, August 8, 2008