The young Liverpool centre half joined the Championship side on loan in a deadline day deal.
Back in 2019-20, Rhys Williams was playing for Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football. Few would have expected that a year later, Williams would be needed to help Liverpool finish top four.
After having played an unexpectedly key role for the Reds last season due to their defensive injury crisis, though, the 20-year-old centre half knew he needed to head out on loan in order to get regular playing time and continue his development.
“I am buzzing,” he told Swansea’s official website upon joining the Championship side for the season. “I have heard nothing but good things about the club and the manager from a few of the lads back at Liverpool, so I am delighted to be here.”
Swansea play an attractive brand of football that should be a good fit for Williams, who counts long passing as one of his standout skills, and the Welsh club are expected to be in the top half of the Championship pushing for promotion.
Help them to do that—while getting plenty of playing time in the process—and it might just be that the Preston-born youngster who’s been with the Reds since 2011 will have fully proven that he has a future in the first tier of English football.
“I was keen to come here,” Williams added of choosing Swansea as he looks to take his next step. “Obviously last season was important for me. No one could have been prepared for last season with all the injuries suffered by centre-backs.
“The last five games of last season were described as five finals, so I knew if I could do something good there I would put myself in good stead. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I hope I can take what I learned and show that here.”
