West Bromwich Albion sporting director Luke Dowling has claimed that signing current Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Watson during his time at both Watford and Wigan is among the best business he has ever done. 

Dowling signed the midfielder on a free transfer twice in previous roles, bringing him to Wigan in January 2009 and then to Watford six years later.

The 34-year-old made more than 200 combined appearances for the two clubs, including more than 100 in the Premier League, and scored the winner for Wigan in the FA Cup final in 2013.

Speaking to The Athletic, Dowling claimed that he regarded signing Watson on both occasions among the best bits of business he's done in his career.

He said: "To have taken him to two clubs without spending a penny on a transfer fee… that is some of the best business I have done.

“People always ask you what the best signing is, that you have been involved in. They naturally look to the most expensive signings but Ben has to be up there."

Watson has been a key man for Forest this season, starting every single one of the Reds' Championship games so far.

The holding midfielder has broken up opposition play extremely well and has been a fantastic game manager for Sabri Lamouchi's side this term – keeping his side ticking over and dictating play.

The 34-year-old has also shown his quality in the final third, scoring three times and adding three assists.

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The Verdict

Given Dowling has been a sporting director at Forest, West Brom, Watford and Wigan, the 40-year-old will have made a significant number of signings in his time, so this is a bold claim.

Clearly the Baggies man has a huge amount of respect for the midfielder and coming from a figure at a rival club, it is high praise indeed.

Watson deserves a lot of credit for his performances this season, it appeared he was close to being pushed out of Forest before the arrival of Lamouchi but he has been as important as any player in the Reds squad this term.