It is almost two years since Daniel Farke agreed to become Leeds United’s next manager, joining the club in the middle of a whirlwind following relegation to the Championship.
Players were jumping ship thanks to Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause while Leeds were trying to get a takeover done, as Andrea Radrizzani flew off to Italy and left The 49ers to strike a deal for The Whites.
The tornado that was Leeds in the first few weeks of the 2023-24 season ultimately played a part in the club failing to secure automatic promotion and instead, having to settle for a place in the play-offs.
Farke wanted familiarity at Elland Road and needed to bring in players he could trust. Perhaps that is why Leeds were linked with a move to sign a left-back he previously had at his disposal while Norwich boss.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Leeds United wanted to sign Brandon Williams in summer 2023
Described as “fantastic” by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his early breakthrough at Manchester United, Williams decided to go to Norwich with Farke luring the England U21 defender to Carrow Road on loan.
Williams went on to play 29 times that season for Norwich, with Farke sacked after a few months. But clearly, Farke likes what he saw even if Williams has been criticised at time for disciplinary problems.
Since then, Williams went on loan to Ipswich last term and aided Kieran McKenna’s promotion push. But his career has taken a turn for the worse, with Williams failing to find himself a home in almost a year.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Williams still a free agent almost a year after Old Trafford exit
Loans at Norwich and then Ipswich failed to convince Manchester United to offer Williams a new deal. He left as a free agent, with a move to a Championship club expected given his early Old Trafford potential.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Yet, Farke’s old left-back remains without a club almost a year down the line. A player Leeds and Farke considered signing if reports are to be believed, only to become a free agent for almost a whole season.
The chances are that Williams remains without a home until the summer before he and his agent try to find him a new club, then. It certainly won’t be in the Premier League, maybe even in the Championship.