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A-League club Perth Glory have made a major addition to their squad for next season, announcing on Wednesday that they have signed Socceroos defender Rhys Williams.
Williams greatest asset to any team is his versatility, being able to play right across the backline, or as a defensive and central midfielder.
He comes to Perth from English club Middlesbrough where he has been since 2005, making 126 appearances. While he has been incredibly loyal to the English club, playing all his senior football contracted there, he was loaned in 2009 to Burnley where he played 16 matches, and Charlton Athletic earlier this year where he took to the field three times.
Williams has also recorded 14 caps for the Socceroos but has been extremely unlucky not to have more and a World Cup appearance due to injury.
Williams was also appointed club captain of Middlesborough in 2012 and has played almost every not goalkeeping role at some point for the club.
He comes home to Perth with the club on a trajectory of signing local products. Williams becomes the 10th Perth-born player on the books for next season.
“I’m very excited to come home to Perth and join Kenny Lowe whom I’ve known for many years. He’s been a mentor to me since I was a teenager” Williams said.
“After 11 years in the UK, the opportunity to re-unite with my family and re-join a manager who believes in me and my football is the tonic I need for my career”.
He added: “I know a lot of the boys at the club since our ECU Joondalup days and I really can’t wait until the pre-season starts. I think Perth Glory fans can look forward to an exciting year ahead with so many WA boys in the line-up.”
“We know what Rhys can do. He’s been captain of Middlesbrough; he’s played for the Socceroos and has the qualities and attributes we want as a player and as a person,” coach Kenny Lowe said.
Rhys will not be the only Williams family member playing at the Glory next season, with brother Aryn also lining up.
“That’s the bonus for me. I’m not only coming home to re-join my family but Aryn will be there by my side on the training track, day-in day-out. I think that will benefit us both and can only bode well for the rest of the team,” he said.
Williams was also selected in the Socceroos squad for upcoming qualifiers, so a positive start in Perth could pave the way for him to return to the national set-up.
Perth were knocked out of this season’s A-League finals by Melbourne last weekend.
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