Newly promoted Portsmouth have beaten off Championship rivals to agree a deal for former Barnsley captain Jordan Williams, the club have now confirmed.
The likes of West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City were reportedly interested in the 24-year-old but the right-back has agreed to join John Mousinho’s side following his exit from Oakwell.
Huddersfield-born Williams came through the academy at his hometown club, failing to make an appearance at the John Smith’s Stadium, before moving to the Tykes in 2018. The defender has gone on to play 201 times for the club across the second and third tiers, being part of the team that reached the Championship play-offs under Valerien Ismael.
Williams, who spent time on loan at Bury before his move to Oakwell, has two caps for England at U18s level, alongside 216 senior club appearances.
The South Yorkshire outfit announced last month that the full-back, who can also fill in at the heart of the defence, would be leaving the club at the end of his contract after captaining the side to sixth-place in League One, culminating in play-off defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Williams made 52 appearances in all competitions across the 2023/24 campaign, including all 46 league games, starting all but one game in the third tier.
The deal represents a coup for Pompey ahead of their first season in the Championship since 2012. Williams’ experience at the top end of the league with Barnsley looks set to help a team which is undergoing a transformation, with several of last season’s loan stars heading back to their parent clubs and the likes of Sean Raggett and Joe Rafferty leaving the club at the end of their contracts.
Williams’ signature adds some much-needed experience to the team as Portsmouth look to avoid an immediate return to League One.
Writer’s View
This is a great deal for player and club alike. For Portsmouth, the signing of Williams gives them experience and leadership as well as a player who knows the division, something somewhat lacking in their squad. The defender is also highly dependable, missing only 80 minutes of league football throughout the 2023-24 season, and can fill in across the back line making him a valuable asset to Mousinho.
For the player himself, the move to Fratton Park offers the chance to return to the second tier where he will be a senior player and crucial to any chance the club has of prolonging their stay in the division.
