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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked
Where there's a Will Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked FORMER Manchester United star Brandon Williams is closing in on a transfer to a Championship club as he bids to rebuild his career. Williams, 24, has been without a club for more than a year following the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford. 2 Brandon Williams is set to sign for Hull after the Championship side won the hunt for the 24-year-old Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Williams has been without a club for a year following the termination of his Man Utd contract Credit: Kenny Ramsay But he is now in line to join Hull after the Tigers won the hunt for the Mancunian amid interest from rivals in the second tier and overseas, according to the Daily Mail. A trial with the club piqued interest after his form and attitude left key personnel impressed. And the report adds that Williams now has a medical booked in at the East Yorkshire club next week. The full-back broke through at United at the age of 19 and went on to make 51 appearances for the club in all competitions. However, the Carrington graduate spent the final two years of his United contract on loan at Norwich and Ipswich before he was released to end a 16-year association with the Red Devils. Off the field he was also dogged by personal issues, including being found to have been driving erratically on the A34 when he crashed his Audi A3 in a horror 99mph crash. Williams avoided jail for the 2023 incident, which had come after he was caught with a balloon in his mouth, following a guilty plea to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance. He was handed a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years in May of this year at Chester Crown Court. Williams spoke candidly about his career when appearing on Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, revealing how he had struggled to get out of bed on some of his "dark days". He added in the April chat: "It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. Unemployed ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams opens up on 'dark' times after axing "I miss being in a team, I miss being on the coach, I just think it's that thing where it gets too much for somebody sometimes." Williams, who has represented England at U20 and U21 level continued: "Maybe I needed that break, just take everything in to reset." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked
Where there's a Will Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Manchester United star Brandon Williams is closing in on a transfer to a Championship club as he bids to rebuild his career. Williams, 24, has been without a club for more than a year following the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Brandon Williams is set to sign for Hull after the Championship side won the hunt for the 24-year-old Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Williams has been without a club for a year following the termination of his Man Utd contract Credit: Kenny Ramsay But he is now in line to join Hull after the Tigers won the hunt for the Mancunian amid interest from rivals in the second tier and overseas, according to the Daily Mail. A trial with the club piqued interest after his form and attitude left key personnel impressed. And the report adds that Williams now has a medical booked in at the East Yorkshire club next week. The full-back broke through at United at the age of 19 and went on to make 51 appearances for the club in all competitions. However, the Carrington graduate spent the final two years of his United contract on loan at Norwich and Ipswich before he was released to end a 16-year association with the Red Devils. Off the field he was also dogged by personal issues, including being found to have been driving erratically on the A34 when he crashed his Audi A3 in a horror 99mph crash. Williams avoided jail for the 2023 incident, which had come after he was caught with a balloon in his mouth, following a guilty plea to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance. He was handed a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years in May of this year at Chester Crown Court. Williams spoke candidly about his career when appearing on Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, revealing how he had struggled to get out of bed on some of his "dark days". He added in the April chat: "It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. Unemployed ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams opens up on 'dark' times after axing "I miss being in a team, I miss being on the coach, I just think it's that thing where it gets too much for somebody sometimes." Williams, who has represented England at U20 and U21 level continued: "Maybe I needed that break, just take everything in to reset." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams, 24, ‘lined up by clubs and impresses on Championship trial' after avoiding jail
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRANDON WILLIAMS is attracting transfer interest from both the Championship and abroad, according to reports. The former Manchester United full-back, 24, is on the lookout for a new club after avoiding jail earlier this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Brandon Williams has recently been on trial at Hull City Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Williams, 24, made 51 first team appearances for Man Utd Credit: Getty Williams has not had a club since being released by the Red Devils at the end of the 2023-24 season. The ex-England youth international has recently been on trial with Championship club Hull, appearing from the bench in friendlies against Getafe and Sunderland. Williams has impressed during his short spell on Humberside and is expected to be offered a contract. According to the Mail, the Tigers face competition for Williams' signature. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL ALL SYSTEMS KO Man Utd match Newcastle's £74million Benjamin Sesko transfer bid They claim that the defender's attitude in particular has attracted interest from other Championship clubs and from teams overseas. In May, Williams was handed a suspended 14-month jail sentence for dangerous driving, having been going at up to 99mph. The ex-United starlet was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service after being found to be driving without insurance. Williams broke into the Red Devils' first team as a teenager and went on to play 51 times for his boyhood club. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 Williams received a suspended 14-month jail sentence earlier this year Credit: Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures During his time at United he also went on loan to Norwich and Ipswich. Earlier this year, Williams opened up on his struggles while appearing on Ben Foster's Fozcast show. Unemployed ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams opens up on 'dark' times after axing He said: "My friends were worried about me, Angel Gomes, Jimmy [James] Garner, and D'Mani Mellor. Because I wasn't training, I was staying in my apartment, I wasn't moving, wasn't coming out." Williams then added: 'At that point I did [fall out of love with football], at that point it was just getting too much for me. It was problems with friends, friends going behind my back - stabbing me in my back. "I was ignoring my family, I wasn't really speaking to them. "They were really worried about me, my friends were as well to be fair. They could see it. It wasn't right." Williams has not played competitively since the first half of the 2023-24 season. But it now appears that he is nearing a comeback to the game. 4 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Daily Mirror
28-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds is paying stars Premier League wages as surprising 'Wrexham tax' claim made
A Wrexham director has lifted the lid on how the club's Hollywood owners are paying top-level wages to attract star players as they prepare for the Championship Wrexham are splashing out Premier League wages in their bid to compete in the Championship, a club director has revealed. The Red Dragons have been busy in the transfer market this summer after making six new signings. Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie, former Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace were their first three arrivals after Wrexham were promoted to the second tier in April. They were followed by Bolton captain George Thomason, ex-Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass and Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien, who all joined last week. More new recruits are expected to follow before Wrexham 's opening league game away at Southampton as manager Phil Parkinson looks to strengthen his squad. Club director Shaun Harvey has now lifted the lid on how the Welsh side's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are paying top level salaries to entice players to the Racecourse Ground. Speaking on former Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, he said: "Our model has always been, we wanted to sign players that were at least used to playing one division higher than we were playing in. "If we're going to do that now, we're signing players who are Premier League quality and they want Premier League wages. If you're looking at signing players from the top end of the Championship to help you on your journey, they're earning fortunes more. "Our wage bill per month now will be more than we paid for the whole time we were in the National League." Despite the significant outlay, Harvey remarkably claimed the club is no longer having to fork out additional premiums as often to convince new signings to join. The ex-EFL chief executive said the so-called "Wrexham tax" - which saw the club having to offer a financial sweetener for players to drop down divisions - was a thing of the past. "That was worse in League One and League Two than it is in the Championship, and this will be a surprise to a lot of people," he said. "We were having to persuade players who were better than the standard of the division we were playing in to drop down to play." O'Brien, Wrexham's latest recruit, has spoken openly about the factors which persuaded him to join the club. It followed the Red Dragons fending off interest from several of their Championship rivals to secure his signature. "It's kind of crazy what's happened at Wrexham, it's surreal really," the 26-year-old midfielder told The Leader. "I've watched the Disney programme and it's like a Disney story - the third oldest club in the world having back-to-back-to-back promotions. "Once you see that and hear the club want to sign you, you want to be part of it. I'm absolutely buzzing. It's been a long time coming but to finally be here feels great." He added: "The last couple of years has been a bit of a whirlwind for me and my family but to sign somewhere I can call home is a great feeling. We've just had a little girl so we'll definitely be looking to move to the area. "I ended the season with Swansea and I've had a couple of spells in America so now it's time to find somewhere we can call home." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham have same golden transfer rule as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
A Wrexham director has lifted the lid on manager Phil Parkinson's stringent player recruitment strategy, which closely mirrors Mikel Arteta's approach at Arsenal Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has a golden rule when signing new players which echoes the approach taken by Arsenal's Mikel Arteta. The former Sunderland and Bradford manager has delivered unprecedented success since taking charge of the Welsh side in July 2021. Backed by the money of Hollwood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Parkinson has achieved three successive promotions, lifting the Red Dragons from the National League to the Championship. Wrexham 's critics often use their riches as a reason to pour cold water on their accomplishments. However, club director Shaun Harvey has now shone a light on the extensive homework Parkinson does before bringing in new recruits. Similar to the strict non-negotiables Arteta has set out in relation to players' personalities at Arsenal, Wrexham have a firm "no d*******s" policy. Harvey lifted the lid on the secret to the club's tried and tested methods in the transfer market while appearing on ex-Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster 's Fozcast podcast. "We still have what most people would recognise as a more traditional model, where the manager is all things," said the former EFL chief executive. "He helps recruit players, identify players, and ultimately, from a footballing perspective, Phil has the ultimate sign off. "It's been couched around Wrexham as Phil's d******* test. Is he going to fit in, or is he going to upset the dressing room culture? The dressing room culture plays such a big part in the success of any team so background checks will be done. Some will be good, some will be bad. "The bad ones, you don't take forward and you leave them on one side. The best player signings are those that have probably been discussed that little bit more openly with a group of people who've got no vested interest other than the success of the football club." Wrexham have so far made six signings this summer, initially bringing in Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie, Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace in the months since gaining promotion from League One. They have also added Bolton captain George Thomason, former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass and Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien to their ranks this week. Parkinson's stringent focus on prioritising the right type of character is very similar to Arteta's ethos at Arsenal. The Spaniard has explained the high demands he sets for incoming players on several occasions. Speaking to Amazon Prime Sport Video in 2022, he said: "Around the club, we have to make a lot of good decisions and when we talk about non-negotiables, it's about the values that have to be installed. If someone is going to damage those values and environment, they should not be part of the club. "When we set the objectives, we made a compromise that only the best people and the best players are going to come through this door. And when you cannot recruit that, it's better not to recruit." Expanding further on his requirements, Arteta told the Men in Blazers podcast: "I will try to recruit players that we can all feel that they are part of us, and they are able to transmit the values and the ideas that we have at the club. "First of all they have to love the game, and someone that loves winning. They need to love the club, so they need to be willing to join us for the right reasons, and then characters that can complement what we already have and provide what we don't have." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
