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Watts in action for the Students. Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Leicester City sign Irish teenager from UCD

19-year-old Dylan Watts joins the Premier League champions on a two-year deal.

LEICESTER CITY HAVE announced the signing of promising Irish teenager Dylan Watts from UCD for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, from Blackrock in Dublin, has been handed a two-year deal with the Premier League champions after making 20 appearances for the Students in all competitions this season.

Ireland U19 international Watts began his career at St Joseph’s Boys, before moving on to St Kevin’s Boys. Upon arriving in Belfield, he worked his way into the first team and was man of the match in their famous Europa League victory over F91 Dudelange last season.

Watts will go into the Foxes’ Development Squad ahead of their meeting with Liverpool next Sunday.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead,” Watts told UCD. “It is a big opportunity for me, and it is brilliant to be joining the Premier League champions.

I’d like to thank Collie, Pat and Evea for giving me my opportunity in the first team and I owe a lot to them for believing in me at such a young age. Also to the players and all the staff around UCD who were fantastic during my time there.”

Students boss Collie O’Neill added: ”Dylan is one of the best players I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, technically very good with good quick feet.

“He’s made great strides in the last two years from not being a regular in our U19s to being one of the first names I put on the teamsheet for the first team.

“If he continues to make the same progression, then there’s no reason why he can’t eventually make his Premier League debut.”

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Ben Blake
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