Watford agreed terms for the signing of Scott Holding from Stockport County in May 2022.
Holding, who captained County’s academy side, joined on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.
Having been on Manchester United’s books in his youth, Holding rose through the age groups to make his first-team debut for the Hatters against Larkhall Athletic in the FA Trophy in January 2022, after enjoying an introduction to senior football on loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Ashton United earlier that season.
The centre-half completed 90 minutes for Watford’s Under-23s as a trialist - helping the team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic - before sealing a move to join the Young Hornets on a permanent basis.
He made several appearances for Omer Riza’s Under-21 side during the 2022/23 campaign, while also featuring on loan for Stalybridge Celtic back in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
In December 2023, Holding continued his development with a short-term loan deal to National League South side Dover Athletic. After being named as the club's player of the month, the deal was extended to the end of the season in January 2024.
