Australian winger Ryan Williams has left Fulham and signed a two-year permanent deal with League One side Barnsley.
Williams enjoyed a successful loan spell at Oakwell last season, impressing during his six first-team appearances, and moves to south Yorkshire for an undisclosed fee. The 21 year-old signed for Fulham from Portsmouth back in January 2012 after impressing during a trial game for Fulham’s reserve side, but he struggled to make an impact at Craven Cottage, playing just two first-team games for the club under Felix Magath at the start of last season – in the defeats by Wolves and Derby.
Williams told Barnsley’s official website this afternoon:
I’m delighted to have joined Barnsley Football Club on a permanent basis, as I much admire the playing philosophy of Lee Johnson. I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Lee Johnson on a daily basis and to have the platform of this great Club with its wonderful supporters to showcase my talent and skills.
One of the integral reasons for my decision to join Barnsley was that lots of other young and talented players, such as Marc Roberts and Alfie Mawson, have also decided to come and play for Lee and to work under him even though they had opportunities to join Championship clubs. This was further enhanced when you see gifted young players such as Ben Pearson also choose to join Barnsley on loan ahead of Championship clubs.
I’m very much looking forward to getting to work on the training ground, with Lee, the staff and the players as soon as possible.
