Tennai Watson

Tennai Rosharne Watson (born 4 March 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a wing-back for EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic.

Tennai Watson

Watson in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Tennai Rosharne Watson[1]
Date of birth	(1997-03-04) 4 March 1997 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth	Hillingdon, England
Position(s)	Wing-back
Team information
Current team	Charlton Athletic
Number	27
Youth career
0000–2015	Reading
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2021	Reading	4	(0)
2018–2019	→ AFC Wimbledon (loan)	24	(0)
2019–2020	→ Coventry City (loan)	3	(0)
2021–2023	Milton Keynes Dons	58	(2)
2023–2025	Charlton Athletic	50	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:10, 31 May 2025 (UTC)

Career

Reading

Watson joined the academy of Reading at a young age, and progressed through the ranks to eventually sign professional terms with the club in May 2016.^[3] He made his first team debut on 6 August 2016, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute for the injured Jordan Obita.^[4]

On 1 February 2018, Watson signed a contract extension with Reading until the summer 2021,^[5] and was later sent out on loan for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons to League One clubs AFC Wimbledon and Coventry City.^[6] However, at the end of the 2020–21 season, he was one of four Reading players released by the club.^[7]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 28 July 2021, Watson signed for the League One club Milton Keynes Dons after a successful trial period, having been recommended to the club by his former Reading teammate, Zak Jules.^[8] He made his league debut for the club on 7 August 2021, in a 3–3 draw away to Bolton Wanderers.^[9] On 8 December 2021, Watson scored his first career professional goal in a 1–1 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle.^[10] Despite the offer of a new contract, Watson was one of several players to part ways with the club following their relegation to EFL League Two at the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.^[11]

Charlton Athletic

Tennai Watson on crutches after he suffered an injury during a 2-2 draw against Wrexham on 26 October 2024.

On 1 September 2023, Watson signed for League One club Charlton Athletic on a two-year contract.^[12]

On 30 May 2025, it was confirmed Watson would leave the club following the conclusion of his contract.^[13]

Career statistics

As of 25 May 2025

Club statistics

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Reading	2016–17[14]	Championship	3	0	0	0	4	0	—		7	0
	2017–18[15]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2018–19[16]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2019–20[17]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2020–21[18]	Championship	1	0	0	0	1	0	—		2	0
	Total		4	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	9	0
AFC Wimbledon (loan)	2018–19[16]	League One	24	0	2	0	1	0	1[a]	0	28	0
Coventry City (loan)	2019–20[17]	League One	3	0	0	0	0	0	4[a]	0	7	0
Milton Keynes Dons	2021–22[19]	League One	28	2	1	0	1	0	6[b]	0	36	2
	2022–23[20]	League One	30	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	34	0
	Total		58	2	3	0	3	0	6	0	70	2
Charlton Athletic	2023–24[21]	League One	34	1	3	0	0	0	3[a]	0	40	1
	2024–25[22]	League One	16	0	0	0	1	0	4[c]	0	21	0
	Total		50	1	3	0	1	0	7	0	61	1
Career total			139	3	8	0	10	0	18	0	175	3

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Five appearances in EFL Trophy, one appearance in 2021–22 EFL League One play-offs
3. One appearance in the EFL Trophy and three appearances in the League One play-offs

Honours

Charlton Athletic

• EFL League One play-offs: 2025^[23]