BENGALURU --- Bengaluru FC have signed Australian midfielder Cameron Watson, the club announced on Friday. The twenty-nine-year-old, who spent five seasons with Australian A-League side Adelaide United before turning out for Newcastle Jets last season, has joined the I-League champions on a deal that will keep him at Bengaluru till the end of the 2016-17 season.

Watson, whose stints include a season with the youth and reserve teams of Portuguese giants FC Porto, said he was happy with his move to Bengaluru. "I've spoken to a few people and heard good things about the league," he said. "I've even had a word with former Bengaluru player Sean Rooney who had a lot of nice things to say about the club and I'm really looking forward to joining the team as soon as possible. I've been training with a local club here and keeping as fit as possible. There's a big AFC Cup game coming up and the sooner I get there, the better."

Watson has also played for the U-17 and U-20 sides of the Australian national team. He has made more than 200 appearances in the A-League and also played in the AFC Champions League with Adelaide in 2012.

Coach Albert Roca felt Watson's addition would be vital to the Blues' plans for the season. "[Watson] is a good player in a position that's very important to the team," he said. "He has a good background playing in Australia which I think is an impressive league in terms of standard and his presence would help us grow."