RYAN Williams has today become Oxford United's second signing of the summer transfer window.

The winger returns for his second spell with the U's after joining from Sky Bet League One rivals Portsmouth.

Full story: Oxford United sign Ryan Williams

United fans will already be familiar with the 27-year-old, but here are some key details about the Australian. 

Basics:

  • Date of birth: October 28, 1993 (age 27).
  • Nationality: Australian.
  • Preferred foot: Right.
  • Preferred position(s): Right wing, attacking midfield.
  • Length of United contract: Two years.

CV

  • Portsmouth (2011-12, trainee)
  • Fulham (2012-15)
  • Gillingham (2013, loan)
  • Oxford United (2013-14, loan)
  • Barnsley (2014, loan)
  • Barnsley (2015-17)
  • Rotherham United (2017-19)
  • Portsmouth (2019-2021)
  • Oxford United (2021-)
  • Career club appearances: 254.
  • Career club goals: 22.
  • Last season: 49 appearances, five goals, four assists.

Did you know?

  • Williams’ eight goals at United in 2013/14, when he was on loan from Fulham, remains his best tally for a single campaign.
  • His one Australia cap came in a 1-0 friendly defeat to South Korea on June 7, 2019, when he came on in the 73rd minute.
  • Williams has faced United with Portsmouth six times in the last two seasons, but his only previous appearance against the U’s was in October 2017 - when he scored for Rotherham United in a 3-3 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

Previous manager said

Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley praised Williams after he impressed up front during an injury crisis in March.

He told The News: "With attacking players, there is always that little bit of single-mindedness, which forwards need.

"But when you see the forwards put the team before themselves, that’s a lovely feeling for me – and players behind him.

"He wants to run around and you’ve just got to get him in a position to free him up where he’s going to go and press, go and run.

"His penetrative runs are brilliant, he makes so many sacrificial runs where he’ll make a run and knows he won’t get the ball, but it creates space for someone else."

Video

The Australian's last United goal came at Northampton Town on the final day of the 2013/14 Sky Bet League Two season. He was sent off in the same game.

Video: YouTube/Northampton Town Football Club.

Statistics from Soccerbase, Soccerway and whoscored.com.