Following his arrival at SN1 on Transfer Deadline Day, swindontownfc.co.uk have provided the lowdown on the Robins’ latest recruit, Sean Murray…
- Sean Michael Murray was born on October 11th 1993 in Abbots Langley.
- Murray stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall.
- The 22-year-old is an attacking midfielder who can both create and score goals.
- Despite being born in Watford, Murray has represented the Republic of Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level after qualifying through his Irish grandparents – making a combined total of 23 outings between 2009 and 2014.
- Murray began his career at boyhood club Watford, joining the club’s Academy in 2002 at the age of nine, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
- Despite interest from Manchester City, the talented youngster put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Hornets in July 2010.
- After impressing for the Academy, Murray made his first-team debut for Watford against QPR in the Championship on 30th April 2011 – coming off the bench in a 2-0 defeat for the Hornets.
- He made his first start the following week away at Preston North End, but found first-team opportunities hard to come by the following season after Malky Mackay was replaced at the helm by Sean Dyche.
- However, Murray’s luck began to change following a hugely impressive performance against Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in January 2012 – thudding an effort against the post in the second-half as the Hornets fell to a narrow and unlucky 1-0 defeat.
- From that point on, the creative force began to establish himself as a regular starter in Watford’s midfield, notching his first professional goal in a 3-2 win over Leicester City just three weeks after the Tottenham game.
- Murray went on to score four goals in just seven games during a very fruitful spell in March 2012 – landing him the Football League’s Young Player of the Month Award.
- The midfielder also scooped Watford’s Young Player of the Season Award, whilst he was also given his own song by the Hornets’ faithful – “That boy Sean Murray, he’s one of our own.”
- But a combination of injury problems and a takeover at Watford saw Murray drop down the pecking order at Vicarage Road.
- Murray spent a short spell out on loan at Wigan Athletic during the 2015/16 campaign, scoring in a 4-0 rout of Blackpool before returning to Watford in December.
- The attacker has now opened a new chapter in his career after joining Town, penning a one-year deal at The County Ground, with the Robins having a further year’s option on the player.
- Murray will wear the number 22 shirt during his time at SN1.
