Brandon Williams ends eight-month absence by signing with League Two's Rotherham United

Brandon Williams has signed a short-term contract at Rotherham United, ending an eight-month spell without a club for the former Manchester United defender. The 26-year-old, who made 51 appearances for United across all competitions, has agreed a three-month deal at the League Two side running until 23 January 2027.

Williams had been without a club since leaving Hull City in February, having endured a difficult six months at the Tigers that amounted to a single substitute appearance — in a 3-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers. His arrival at Rotherham follows an extended trial period in which he trained with the club throughout pre-season and into mid-October before earning his contract.

Rotherham head coach Alex Bruce was candid about what Williams had shown to earn the deal. “He deserves the contract. He’s worked really hard with us since pre-season, has shown a great attitude every day and an appetite and hunger just to play,” Bruce said. “He’s had a tough few years. Not that you want to give contracts out willy-nilly, but when someone has showed the appetite, desire and hunger to come in every day and not get paid, like he has done — I’m really pleased to give him the opportunity to give his career a kick-start.”

Bruce added that Williams has visibly improved since first arriving. “He looks a hell of a lot better than he did when he first arrived for pre-season. Let’s hope he can kick on and be an asset for the football club.”

Williams could make his debut when Rotherham host Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, wearing the No.33 shirt at the ASSEAL New York Stadium. The timing of his arrival is significant for a club in desperate need of a lift — the Millers sit 22nd in League Two, having won just two of their opening 12 fourth-tier matches. A 2-2 home draw against Newport County on Tuesday extended their winless run to seven matches in all competitions, piling further pressure on Bruce.

Williams came through the academy at Old Trafford and made 36 appearances in his breakthrough 2019/20 season, scoring once. His game time diminished sharply thereafter, with loan spells at Norwich City and Ipswich Town following before he departed United at the end of his contract in 2024. After more than 12 months out of the game, he joined Hull in 2025, only for that chapter to end after just one appearance.