Ipswich Town sign Brandon Williams on loan from Manchester United
Ipswich Town have signed young full-back Brandon Williams from Manchester United.
The 22-year-old arrives on a season-long loan and is reunited with his former Red Devils youth and first team coach Kieran McKenna.
Town beat newly-relegated Championship rivals Leeds United to his signature, with Daniel Farke – who worked with Williams at Norwich City during a season-long loan spell in 2021/22 – having also been keen on a reunion.
The EADT and Ipswich Star understands that an option to buy clause was initially discussed but has ultimately not been included in the deal.
Williams is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, though his employers do have the option to extend that by 12 months.
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A right-footer who has played most of his senior football at left-back, Williams – who will wear the No.18 shirt – is also capable of playing right-back and centre-back.
He has made 51 appearances for United – including 13 starts in the Premier League – and also made 23 starts for Norwich in the top-flight.
United boss Erik ten Hag recently revealed that he was impressed with Williams in pre-season, but that the one cap England U21 international was ‘looking for something different’ after making just one League Cup appearance in 2022/23.
Williams’ addition makes it five signings for the Blues in the summer window so far, with striker George Hirst (Leicester, £1.5m), midfielder Jack Taylor (Peterborough, £1.5m), winger Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, loan) and keeper Cieran Slicker (Man City, undisclosed) already in the door.