CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Declan Watters, a center back from Dublin, Ireland will be joining Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval. 

Watters will join USL League One play for the first time after spending the 2023 season with Vänersborgs IF in the third-division Ettan Fotboll in Sweden. During his time with the club, he appeared and started in 26 matches and registered one goal and one assist. He was also second in minutes played for the club.

Prior to 2023, the six-foot, five-inch defender played one year at Drake University and four years at the University of Akron. While at Drake, Watters recorded 1,350 minutes in 2022 and 1,213 minutes in 2021. He had one goal and two assists across 29 appearances and was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2022.

From 2018 to 2021, Watters played at the University of Akron and made 30 appearances for the team and was a part of the 2018 NCAA Division I national finalist. Watters was named team captain during the 2020-21 season. Before college, Watters spent time in Shamrock Rovers FC U-17 side, claiming a national championship in 2015.

"I couldn't be happier to be joining the club," Watters said. "After spending last season in Sweden, it's fantastic to be coming back to the United States. When I spoke with Scott, it was clear that Chattanooga was the perfect fit. The club has a very bright future, and I'm excited to play my part in that."

"Declan has huge potential as an elite central defender," said Chattanooga Head Coach Scott Mackenzie. "He has elite physical attributes and pair that with his qualities with the ball at his feet, we expect Declan to come in and be a big-time contributor for us this season."