Brandon Williams signs for new club after year out of football following Man Utd release

Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has signed for a new club after being out of football for more than a year.

The 24-year-old came through the youth team ranks at Old Trafford and made his senior debut in 2019.

Williams ended up making 51 appearances for his boyhood club and scored one goal, which came during a 3-3 draw with Sheffield United in the Premier League.

Williams spent two campaigns away from United on loan at other teams, firstly with Norwich City and then with East Anglia rivals Ipswich Town.

However, it was confirmed in the summer of 2024 by United that Williams would be leaving the club when his deal expired.

Brandon Williams has joined a new club following his release a year ago from Manchester United. (Image: Getty)

Williams has spent more than 12 months out of football after having a court case hanging over him.

Earlier this year, he was handed to a 14-month prison sentence at Chester Crown Court but which has been suspended for the next two years after he admitted dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance.

It followed his involvement in an incident where the Audi A3 he was driving on the A34 near Handforth in Cheshire on 20 August 2023 was seen moving at high speeds and erratically.

The car was subsequently in collision with a Ford Fiesta before hitting the central reservation.

Brandon Williams has joined Hull City after leaving Manchester United. (Image: Getty)

Williams was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work through a community order.

But Williams is now back in professional football after signing a deal with Championship side Hull City.

He has agreed a one-year deal with the option of it being extended for another 12 months.

He had been in pre-season training with the Tigers and had featured for the club in friendlies against Sunderland and Getafe, as he impressed Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic.

Williams is now looking forward to focusing back on football as he reflected on his time out of the game.

Speaking to the club's website, he said: "It feels good to be back in the team environment and back on the pitch. Everyone has been very welcoming. It’s been a good few weeks but I’m just happy I’m here now and can focus on the football.

"I had a couple of very honest meetings with the manager. We know it’s going to be a process to get fully back up to speed, having that time out. It had been 20 months since I played or was involved with a team.

"I appreciated the manager’s honesty. Now, it’s down to me to work hard and get as many games as I can.

"It was very difficult (taking a break from football) – mentally and physically. It’s been a long road back, but probably something I needed. Now, I’m back here a different person.

"I’ve grown up a lot and I’m ready to just focus on the football. I’ve missed it. I’m hungry, I’m fiery. I know what quality I can bring to the team. As soon as I get back to that, I’m sure I’ll be an asset to the team.

"I’ve put in the work and gained the trust of the manager, the people above him and the coaching staff.

"Now, I’ve got to show it to the fans and my teammates to prove I’m here to work hard and help the team get results."