Blackpool defender signs for Watford
Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart joined Watford yesterday on a two year deal for a free transfer after the Northern Ireland international decided not to sign a new deal with the Seasiders. Watford are no strangers for Cathcart after he experienced a 12 game loan spell with the Hornets during the 2009-10 season whilst on the books at Manchester United. Cathcart made over 100 appearances for Blackpool in a 4 year stay at the club and experienced premiership and championship football with the club. He has also been capped at international level by Northern Ireland and to date, the 25 year old has received 15 caps.
Cathcart is a 6 foot 2 central defender who can also play at right back. The Northern Irishman started off his career at Manchester United however he never made an appearance for the Premiership giants in three seasons as a professional at the club. In all three seasons at United, Cathcart was loaned out. During the 2007-08 season, he had a loan spell at Belgian side Royal Antwerp where he made 13 appearances scoring twice. Cathcart then spent the whole of the 2008-09 season at Plymouth Argyle who were then in the Championship where he was a regular in the side. Then Watford manger Malky Mackay snapped up Cathcart and Man United team mate Tom Cleverley ahead of the 2009-10 season. Cathcarts loan was expected to last until January however the defenders stay at Vicarage Road was ended prematurely when he suffered an injury restricting him to 12 appearances.
He then joined Blackpool on a four year deal for an undisclosed fee ahead of Blackpool's maiden season in the Premier League. He was a regular in the side that competed in the Premiership and even scored against his former club Manchester United. After Blackpool’s relegation, Cathcart continued to be a regular in the Seasiders defence. His contract was up at the end of the 2013-14 season which Cathcart decided not to renew. After interest from other Championship sides, Cathcart has decided to return to Watford FC signing a two year deal after making over 100 appearances for Blackpool.
Many have criticised the signing of Cathcart however he is a free signing who has experienced both Premier League and Championship football and is still only 25. He won't need a long time to adapt to the division as unlike some other players before they arrived, Cathcart has already played in the Championship and knows it well. He may not have been brilliant the last time he was here, but he surely must have improved especially as he has been a regular in the Blackpool team for all of the four seasons that he has been with the Tangerines. I suggest that we should welcome Craig to the club and reserve our judgment until he plays. He may not be our first choice, but Cathcart could prove to be good back up should one of the usual centre backs suffer from injury. Welcome to the club Craig!