Rotherham United have announced they have signed full-back Brandon Williams on a permanent basis after his trial period with the club.

The former Manchester United, Norwich City and Hull City defender had been working with the Millers over the summer amid their preparations for League Two, but was ultimately not brought into the fold by the start of the season in August.

Williams Secures Short-Term Deal

Having been without a club since his exit from the Tigers in February of this year, the 26-year-old landed on a chance in South Yorkshire under Steve McClaren and Alex Bruce, who used him as a key figure during the attempted rebuild of the squad over the summer.

Speaking in the final weeks of the window, the former Salford City assistant had noted that they were still considering handing him a second chance after his trial, but no move materialised during the opening stages of this campaign.

Having returned to the New York Stadium after trials elsewhere, he has finally been rewarded with a deal by the club, handing him a short-term contract until January to help bolster their options at the back amid a poor start to the season.

Hear from Brandon after putting pen to paper this afternoon! 🗣️

🔗https://t.co/aggKorgBgG #RUFC pic.twitter.com/WGPEjDwWgY

— Rotherham United (@RotherhamUnited) October 23, 2026

Speaking to the press upon the announcement of Williams’ signing at United, manager Bruce confirmed that it would be a gradual introduction to life in League Two. (Quotes via Rotherham Advertiser):

“Brandon’s got to a stage now where he can certainly handle it (the first-team environment).

“He’s not played an 11-a-side game for a number of weeks, though, so it might be a little bit unfair on him to throw him into a competitive game. We’ve got reserve games over the next few of weeks, we’ve got cup games coming up. He’ll play, but I’ll bleed him in.

“When Brandon first came here for pre-season, he was short. It was the first pre-season he’d had in a number of years. He’s not played much football for a while.

“I gave him the opportunity to stay, even though there wasn’t necessarily a contract to be had. He’s got better and better and better over that time. Now we have got a couple of injuries and we are light in the area where he plays. It just fits.”

Big Chance For Career Restart

It has been far from an easy path back to professional football for Brandon Williams, who has had to battle his own personal issues in the past few years, and has now been rewarded by Alex Bruce with a chance to play once again.

Despite there being little hope of clinching a permanent stint at Rotherham United months ago, his perseverance and development in training has now convinced the decision-makers at the New York Stadium to give him a chance, especially at a time they are getting slightly weak for options.

🗣️ “I hope I’m the man to turn it around. I really do. I’m doing everything I can. Fingers crossed we can keep going.”

Full interview with Alex Bruce as Rotherham United lose 2-0 at Fleetwood #RUFC 👉 https://t.co/AqAIXi4UDF pic.twitter.com/Aqn7Ci0FJs

— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) October 17, 2026

While it seems that he may not make an immediate impact, with fixtures coming thick and fast, the 26-year-old will have some chances to impress and if he can do that, then an extension to his terms could certainly be offered.

However, he does come to Rotherham at a critical juncture for the man who placed his faith in him, with Alex Bruce now under increasing scrutiny for his performances, amid suggestions that his former boss at Salford, Karl Robinson, could replace him.