Brandon Williams is set to sign a permanent deal with Hull City after spending a year without a club.
The former Manchester United defender has been training with the Tigers and has featured in pre-season games against Sunderland and Getafe.
Hull Ready to Hand Williams Lifeline
Williams, 24, was released by United in the summer of 2024 and had not featured in a competitive fixture since his loan spell with Ipswich Town ended last December. His career was further disrupted earlier this year when he received a suspended jail sentence after crashing at 99mph, but Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic appears ready to offer him a second chance.
Speaking about the full-back’s progress during his trial, Jakirovic said the club were approaching things carefully but saw potential in the former Premier League player.
“I like to help people because everyone deserves a second chance in life. I spoke with him very honestly, and I explained to him what I expect from him. We will be very careful, very, very slow. We have time, so we will try to help him.
“I think the quality is there because he was on a high level at Man United, so his quality is there. We need him to bring good fitness, and then we will make a decision. For me, his mentality is good. From our conversations, he’s a very normal guy.”
Williams reportedly asked to play in Hull’s friendly last week and was given minutes on the pitch against Getafe, as Jakirovic and his staff continue to assess his readiness ahead of their Championship opener against Coventry City.
Despite the controversy surrounding his suspended sentence, Williams had remained committed to resuming his career, saying in court that he accepted full responsibility for his actions and was determined to learn from the experience.
“I have always accepted that my driving that day fell below the standard that is expected of me. It was never my intention to cause injury to anyone but I am responsible for the standard of my driving. I make no excuses. I have learnt from this experience and will ensure there is no repetition. I wish to apologise again to those who were involved in the accident.”
Williams made 51 first-team appearances for Manchester United across all competitions, including Premier League and European matches, before falling out of favour and being sent out on loan to Norwich and Ipswich in successive seasons.
Writer’s View
This looks like a low-risk, high-reward move for Hull City. Williams is still young, has top-flight experience, and clearly retains the hunger to prove himself after a difficult year.
With a thin squad and the season about to begin, Jakirovic may see him as the kind of versatile defensive option that could slot into multiple roles if he proves his fitness. If Hull can manage the transition carefully, this could be a shrewd piece of business.
