Former Manchester United academy star back at square one after new club agrees contract termination

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A former Manchester United youth team standout is a free agent once again

HULL, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Brandon Williams of Hull City during the pre-season friendly match between Hull City and Sunderland at MKM Stadium on July 29, 2025 in Hull, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Brandon Williams, July 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United's academy is among the most famous in world football, producing the heralded Class of '92, along with modern contemporaries such as Marcus Rashford.

Old Trafford has been a fertile breeding ground for young players from the north-west of England with the goal of playing in front of the Theatre of Dreams one day.

Manchester United academy product can't catch a break

Old Trafford, September 2025

Old Trafford, September 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Local defender Brandon Williams came through the Manchester United academy setup after joining the club at age eight, making his first-team debut in 2019 whilst still a teenager.

Williams made 51 appearances for the Red Devils up until 2024 when he was allowed to leave his boyhood club on a free transfer, following loan spells with Norwich City and Ipswich Town.

Brandon Williams spent some time on loan at Ipswich Town last season

Brandon Williams spent some time on loan at Ipswich Town whilst still on Manchester United's books (Image credit: Getty Images)

After 18 months without a club, Williams was signed up by Championship outfit Hull City last summer but has been external to the first-team picture for the majority of his stay on Humberside.

Having made only a single appearance for the Tigers, the 25-year-old and Hull City have come to a mutual termination agreement, leaving the Mancunian in search of another club.

A former England youth international, Williams was recently handed a 14-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance, relating to a road traffic collision which took place in August 2023.

The defender opened up on how his career has panned out during an April 2025 episode of Ben Foster's 'Fozcast' podcast.

He shared needing to take time away from the sport during his period without a club, in addition to interest towards playing abroad one day, which may be where Williams now seeks a move.

Joe Gelhardt of Hull City celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Hull City at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on October 18, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Hull City are flying this season (Image credit: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

An official statement by Williams' former club on Tuesday, February 3 read: "Hull City can confirm that full-back Brandon Williams has left the club by mutual agreement.

"The 25-year-old’s only first-team appearance after joining the Tigers last August came as a substitute in the Sky Bet Championship home defeat to Blackburn Rovers later that month.

"We would like to thank Brandon for his efforts during his time at the MKM Stadium and wish him all the best for his future career."

Joe Donnohue
Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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