Rovers have announced the departure of Republic of Ireland International, Derrick Williams, who has joined MLS outfit, Los Angeles Galaxy on a free transfer.
The 28-year old, whose contract at Ewood Park was set to expire come the end of this current campaign has agreed to a mutual termination of his Rovers contract, which has allowed him to push this deal through and sign for the California side ahead of their 2021-22 season, which begins on 17th April.
After signing for Rovers in the summer of 2016, for an undisclosed sum from Bristol City, the then-uncapped defender would prove to be a shining light in the disappointing 2016-17 relegation campaign, as he would go on to win the club’s Player of the Season Award, throughout his first 12 months in Lancashire. That faith in the defender shown by the fans and management, once current boss Tony Mowbray arrived in February 2017 saw Williams come on, leaps and bounds as a player as he would then go on to play in all but one of Rovers’ 46 League One fixtures as they secured a return to the Championship at the first-time of asking.
Despite Rovers doing well to re-establish themselves as a second-tier side, Williams would go on to have multiple run-ins with injury which would hinder his game-time, despite impressing on multiple occasions when his fitness allowed him to be selected. Although he was predominantly used as a left-back during his four-and-a-half years at Rovers, many of his impressive displays came alongside fellow Irishman, Darragh Lenihan in the heart of Rovers’ defence. That relationship soon helped Williams establish himself on an international level whilst at Rovers, with the defender accruing three caps to date, including a goal in a 3-1 win over New Zealand in November 2019.
Williams moves Stateside after making 152 appearances for Rovers and netting six goals, with the player ultimately exceeding the expectations many fans would have had of him, when he initially arrived in 2016.
After sanctioning the departure, Tony Mowbray reflected on the move with the club’s media team:
“Derrick’s seen his future in the MLS for quite a long time. He’s been unavailable for us he’s been unfit and hasn’t been a major issue in my mind because he’s not been there for selection as he will still be injured for the next four to six weeks. LA Galaxy have taken him injured, they’ve had him over there for a medical and have assessed him and they think he’ll be ready for when their season starts.
“Derrick’s been a good servant to the club under me for four years and he was here before I was of course. He played a lot of football at left back for us and brought a physicality and a composure when he featured at centre back. He’s become an international footballer during his time with us and has played for Ireland numerous times. Hopefully that continues for him and he can enjoy his career out in America.
“We wish him well.”
ReadRovers would like to echo the gaffer’s well wishes and hope that Del can impress the fans Stateside, as he did at Ewood!
