Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has signed a contract with English side Hull City. Despite currently serving a suspended jail sentence, the defender has earned himself a one-year deal with the Championship club.
It wasn't that long ago that Williams was being talked about as one of the most promising youngsters coming out of the Man United academy. Indeed, he burst into the senior set-up in 2019, and caught the eye with some promising displays at left-back.
He went on to make 51 senior appearances for the Red Devils, but his career had taken a turn for the worse in recent years. Loan spells at Norwich City and Ipswich Town did little to convince of his talent, and he left Old Trafford in 2024 following the expiry of his contract.
Away from the field, his reputation was not helped after he was sentenced for dangerous driving. Williams was given a 14-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty, having been caught doing almost 100mph, while also driving without third-party insurance.
Williams Handed 14-month Suspended Jail sentence in May 2025
brandon williams man united
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in August 2023, Williams was spotted driving in an erratic manner, at high speeds, in an Audi A3 on the A34 near Cheshire. He was driving 99mph in a 70mph zone, with a female passenger.
Reportedly also with a balloon at his mouth, witnesses claimed the car was out of control when it collided with a blue Ford Fiesta before crashing into the central reservation. Both his car and the Fiesta were extensively damaged, as was the central reservation, but a breathalyser test came back negative.
As punishment, he was handed a 14-month suspended jail sentence in May 2025 and ordered to do community service.
Williams has not actually played a competitive senior game of football since he saw 64 minutes of action on 29 December 2023 in Ipswich’s goalless draw with QPR. However, he played for Hull in pre-season friendlies against Sunderland and Getafe.
Evidently, the 24-year-old impressed in these games as he has been handed a one-year contract, with an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. Williams spoke to Hull's official website, explaining how excited he was to have found a new club. He said:
"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."
Former Man United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire seemed delighted for the Englishman as they took to social media to congratulate the player on his move.
Maguire wrote: "Love this. All the best mate." While Fernandes added: "Buzzing for you kid."