Watford Under-23s defender James Morris has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract at Vicarage Road, with the option of a further year.
The exciting young full-back has excelled in his first season at the club, having joined last summer following 10 years at Southampton.
“It’s a great pleasure,” said a delighted Morris. “As soon as I came to the club it was my target to achieve a new contract, and I was fortunate enough to do that with the help of everyone at the club, the coaches and the players. It’s a proud moment for me and my family, I’m just looking forward to going again now.
“Watford was my first taste of a different club so I didn’t know what to expect coming in, but from the first day I was welcomed in by everyone. Richard Johnson and Jimmy Gilligan welcomed me and showed me around, and I then got to meet the players, Omer [Riza] and Shoz [Richard Shaw]. They all welcomed me and I felt at home straight away, that’s what helped me settle in so quickly.”
Having originally arrived on trial, Morris was substituted on in pre-season after just seven minutes when Adam Masina picked up an injury against West Bromwich Albion at The Vic.
Getting his first taste of first-team football, Morris regularly trains with the senior squad and made his competitive debut for the Hornets against Leicester City in the FA Cup in January.
“It came as a bit of a shock, I was still on trial and came on in the West Brom game, so that was good for me,” Morris recalled.
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“When I came in I wasn’t expecting to be involved straight away so that was an added bonus.
“It was a very proud day for me and my family making my debut. It’s everything I’ve been working for over the past 10 years. I think going into the game, standing in the tunnel, there were lots of nerves, but as soon as the whistle goes you forget about it all and start playing.”
Alongside his new experiences in the men’s game, Morris has been a regular in Omer Riza’s Under-23 side. The 20-year-old has captained the team on several occasions and aims to continue his development this season, with aims to break into the first-team fold in the next campaign.
“I’ve really enjoyed it this season, it’s been the best football I’ve played,” Morris added. “The coaches have given me a lot of advice and confidence which I feel is a big thing. I feel really settled here and have enjoyed the whole season.
“I think the aim from now until the end of the season is to be involved in the first team as much as possible, and next season come in and have a good pre-season and hopefully be involved in some first-team games.”
