WILLIAMS SECURES CLARETS' DEAL

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Defender joins U23s with permanent switch to Turf Moor

2021-07-12T13:09:53.550Z

WILLIAMS SECURES CLARETS' DEAL

Defender joins U23s with permanent switch to Turf Moor

2021-07-12T13:09:53.550Z

Defender joins U23s with permanent switch to Turf Moor

The Clarets have added another defender to their Under-23 set-up with the signing of former West Bromwich Albion youngster Harry Williams.

Williams – who spent six years in the Academy system at the Hawthorns – impressed during a trial spell at Burnley towards the end of last season.

And the central defender, who will be 19 next month, has now signed a one-year deal – with the option of a further 12 months – with the Clarets.

Williams reported for the start of pre-season training at Barnfield last week before putting pen to paper and travelling north with the Clarets’ U23s for their training camp in Scotland on Monday.

And the towering centre-back is looking to make the most of his new opportunity at Burnley after ending his time with the Baggies where he graduated from the youth team to the U23s – playing against the Clarets in Premier League 2 in March.

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“I had a decent time there. I really enjoyed it. Last year I had an injury which put me back a little bit, so I didn’t get much game time,” said Williams.

“I soon as I came here, I settled in really well with the lads.

“Steve Stone and Faz (Andy Farrell) were really welcoming and I liked it out on the field, how involved they were and giving me pointers all the time.

“The facilities here are brilliant, the staff helped me hit the ground running when I came in and I’m excited about the future.

“Coming off the back of last year, when I didn’t have much game time, I’ll be looking at getting those minutes in during pre-season and giving everything, improving in the gym, improving on the pitch and doing everything I can and see what opportunities come.”

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Williams follows ex-Aston Villa youngster Jacob Bedeau in joining the Clarets’ U23 this summer, while Richard Nartey has signed a new deal as he looks to bridge the gap between the Academy and senior set-up.

And Williams will also be looking towards the first-team squad for examples to follow.

“I like to head it and like to be aggressive,” added the Midlander.

“I’ll give everything and the main job is to keep that ball out of the net, isn’t it?

“Looking at players in the first team, like James Tarkowski and Ben Mee, that’s what I aspire to really; tough centre-halves who are not nice to play against and put their body on the line.”

The U23s, under the temporary guidance of Michael Jackson, are spending a week-long training camp and playing two warm-up games in Scotland.

Daily up-dates and behind-the-scenes access will be available across the Clarets’ media channels.