Ex-Manchester United defender Brandon Williams signs for Rotherham United
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The gist
Former Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams signed a three-month deal at Rotherham United after an extended trial.
The League Two club is second from bottom, so it is a career lifeline.
Background
Brandon Williams is a 26-year-old former Manchester United full-back and England Under-21 international who came through United's academy and made 51 appearances for his boyhood club, with loan spells at Norwich and Ipswich. He left United in 2024 when his contract expired, and in May 2025 received a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving after a collision while driving 99 mph in a 70 mph zone. He returned with Hull City in August 2025 on a one-year deal but left by mutual consent in February 2026, and began training with Rotherham in June 2026. Rotherham, a League Two club second from bottom with two wins from 13 games, moved for him after fellow left-sided defender Ewan Otoo sustained a thigh injury.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2023Williams last completed 90 minutes on loan at Ipswich Town, before beginning a 20-month break from football.
- 2024He left Manchester United when his contract expired.
- May 2025He received a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving after a collision while driving 99 mph in a 70 mph zone.
- Aug 2025He returned to action with Hull City, then a Championship club, on a one-year deal, but played just five minutes in a 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
- Feb 2026He left Hull City by mutual consent six months into the one-year contract.
- Jun 2026He began training with Rotherham United.
- Aug 2026Rotherham initially decided against offering the free agent a deal.
- Oct 23, 2026Rotherham signed Williams on a three-month contract after an extended trial period.
- Oct 24, 2026He was named on the bench as Rotherham hosted Shrewsbury Town.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Head coach Alex Bruce said Williams deserves the contract, has shown a great attitude and hunger since pre-season, and looks far better than when he first arrived.
- Party
- Williams said he is really excited and can't wait to help the team, and urged fans to stick with the side through a tough start to the season.