LOS ANGELES(Thursday, March 4, 2021) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Ireland International defender Derrick Williams from English Football League Championship side Blackburn Rovers. Williams, 28, has played professionally in England since 2011 and has represented Republic of Ireland youth and senior teams throughout his career. Williams, who joins the club on a two-year deal with an additional one-year option, holds an American passport and will not occupy an International Roster spot on the LA Galaxy roster. He will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) once the MLS transfer window opens this month.
Williams has concluded the mandated quarantine period and has been cleared on his entrance medical exams and testing.
“Derrick is an experienced defender who has played at a high level in England and internationally,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “We believe Derrick will strengthen our defense and add competition to the position. We are excited to have Derrick join the squad and look forward to his contributions to the club.”
The Galaxy originally acquired the Discovery rights to Williams in a trade with D.C. United for $125,000 General Allocation Money ($75,000 GAM in 2021 and $50,000 GAM in 2022). The trade is contingent on the player formally being added to the club’s roster during the MLS transfer window.
Williams began his career with Aston Villa in 2011 before moving on to feature for Bristol City (2013-2016) and Blackburn Rovers (2016-2021). He has made over 250 combined appearances in the England’s League One and the EFL Championship during his professional career, including additional appearances in the Premier League and the FA Cup, among others.
The Irish International debuted in the Premier League in 2012 with Aston Villa before signing with Bristol City in League One the following year. He featured regularly for Bristol City before helping them earn promotion to the Championship during the 2014-15 season. He then joined Blackburn Rovers in the Championship in 2016, making 152 total appearances for the club in all.
Internationally, Williams played for both the Ireland U-18 and Ireland U-21 sides in various competitions before going on to make his full senior debut with the Republic of Ireland in 2018 in a friendly against France under head coach Martin O'Neill. Williams also represented Ireland’s national team in 2019 when former LA Galaxy legend, MLS MVP and three-time MLS Cup winner Robbie Keane was on staff as an assistant coach.
Williams signs with the LA Galaxy following the club’s signings of midfielder Carlos Harvey (Tauro F.C.), defender Oniel Fisher (free agent), defender Jorge Villafaña (Portland Timbers), goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (West Bromwich Albion F.C.), defender Marcus Ferkranus (LA Galaxy Academy), midfielder Adam Saldaña (LA Galaxy Academy), and defender Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy Academy) and the signing of goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann to a new contract.
Transaction: The Galaxy acquire the Discovery rights to Derrick Williams in a trade with D.C. United for $125,000 General Allocation Money ($75,000 GAM in 2021 and $50,000 GAM in 2022). The trade is contingent on the player formally being added to the club’s roster during the MLS transfer window.
Transaction: LA Galaxy sign defender Derrick Williams.
Name: Derrick Williams
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Born: January 17, 1993
Age: 28
Last Club: Blackburn Rovers (ENG)
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
Nationality: Ireland, Germany, United States
How Acquired: Signed on March 3, 2021
Roster Designation: Domestic
