Reading have announced the signing of versatile free agent Randell Williams on a deal until 2026.
The 28-year-old arrives after being a free agent since his departure from Leyton Orient over the summer.
Proven At This Level: What Williams Brings To The Royals
Randell Williams began his footballing journey in the youth setup at Tottenham Hotspur before moving into non-league football with Tower Hamlets.
In January 2016, he signed for Crystal Palace but failed to make a senior league appearance before being released at the end of the 2016-17 season.
In July 2017, Williams moved to Watford, and shortly afterwards, in January 2018, he was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers, where he made his professional debut.
His second loan spell at Wycombe followed in the 2018-19 season, giving him regular senior football experience.
In January 2019, Williams signed permanently for Exeter City, and his breakthrough season came in 2019-20 when he registered 5 goals and 14 assists, earning Player of the Season honours. His form at Exeter caught the eye of higher-division clubs, and he moved to Championship side Hull City on a free transfer in July 2021.
In January 2023, Williams signed for Bolton Wanderers, where he added versatility by operating both as a winger and wing-back but he had limited game time during his time at Lancashire.
In February, he moved to Leyton Orient on a permanent deal, making 17 appearances and scoring twice before leaving at the end of the season, becoming a free transfer.
Williams has now signed a short-term deal with Reading, which will run until January 2026, aiming to reignite his career and secure more first-team football.
Randell is a Royal 💙
We are delighted to confirm the signing of Randell Williams on a short-term contract👇
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) November 5, 2025
Across his career, he has shown pace and direct attacking threat from wide positions, and despite several moves, he remains a player who thrives when given consistent minutes and attacking freedom.
The First Of The Richardson Era
The arrival of Randell Williams as the first signing under new boss Leam Richardson offers a timely boost for Reading as they battle through yet another turbulent season.
Williams’s proven ability to operate on both flanks, as a winger and full-back, this now means Richardson has extra flexibility in a squad where options out wide and at full-back have been stretched.
The Gaffer’s thoughts on new signing Randell Williams, his first week on the training pitch and a tough challenge against Stevenage 👇
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) November 5, 2025
With younger wide-players still finding consistency, and veteran wing-back depth limited, the signing plugs a clear gap for immediate cover and competition. The fact that Williams has regular League One experience adds reassurance to a squad under pressure.
Richardson hopes Williams’s versatility allows tactical shifts without needing wholesale personnel changes, which is invaluable amid injuries and uncertainty.
On the signing, new manager Leam Richardson said:
“Randell is a good person and a good professional that knows the level. He played in the playoffs over the last couple of years, has a good CV and is very adaptable and flexible with his positioning. He is somebody, as a person and a player, who we thought would add to our group.”
“We are in transition with the squad, so we want to improve every window. He has been training for a couple of weeks before I came in, I know Randell from Bolton and Leyton Orient anyway, so it is a no brainer for us with the squad where it is.”
In a season where Reading’s league position has already prompted a managerial change, adding a player who can slot into different systems gives the manager one fewer headache. Williams can cover the wings in a 4-2-3-1 or even tuck into defence if circumstances demand, giving Richardson greater tactical freedoms to suit different games.
Moreover, Williams’s arrival sends a signal that Reading’s recruitment is now more focused and that the new regime is serious about building for stability rather than riding out the storm as we have seen in recent seasons.
In short, by securing Williams as his first piece of business, Richardson has given Reading both a practical option and a psychological lift. If Williams can hit the ground running, he may well become one of the unsung contributors in what promises to be a challenging campaign.
