Soccer-Watford sign centre back Dawson from West Brom

Watford has signed English defender Craig Dawson from West Bromwich Albion on a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Monday. The fee was undisclosed but British media said the deal was worth 5.5 million pounds ($6.96 million) and 29-year-old Dawson has the option of a further year.

A former England Under-21 international who also represented Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics, Dawson brings a wealth of experience to Vicarage Road, having racked up 153 top-flight appearances before West Brom suffered relegation in 2018. Dawson featured 45 times in all competitions as West Brom reached the Championship (second-tier) playoffs last season where they lost to Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

He becomes Watford boss Javi Gracia's first close-season signing as the London club look to build on their 11th-place finish in the league last season. Watford kicks off their 2019-20 campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 10.

($1 = 0.7906 pounds)