Hull City hand forgotten Man Utd defender one-year contract after successful trial spell despite suspended jail sentence

Williams was on trial at Hull this summer and after impressive performances in pre-season friendlies against Sunderland and Getafe, the Tigers offered him a one-year contract, with an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

After formally signing the dotted lines, Williams told Hull's official website: "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."

In August 2023, Williams was spotted driving his Audi A3 on the A34 close to Handforth, Cheshire, at high speeds and erratically as his car crashed into the central reservation after colliding with a Ford Fiesta. He entered a guilty plea to reckless driving and uninsured driving. The 24-year-old was handed a 14-month suspended jail sentence in May and ordered to do community service.

Hull City will be back in action on Sunday as they host Oxford United in a Championship clash.