Randell Williams

[Clyde1998]

Randell Williams signs on a short-term deal until January after being on trial for the past few weeks.

Reading Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Randell Williams on a short-term contract until January 2026.

Following a successful trial period, Williams will join up with Richardson's Royals and, subject to the usual ratification from the football authorities, will be available for selection tomorrow evening.

The 28-year-old wide man can play on the wing or at full-back and has vast experience in League One, most recently with Leyton Orient last year's Play-Off Finalists.

Progressing through the youth ranks with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Watford, Williams enjoyed two loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers before signing permanently for Exeter City in 2019. Winning Player of the Season and being named in the League Two Team of the Season during his first full campaign at St James Park, he moved to Hull City 2021 having scored nine times in 87 appearances.

Making 20 Championship appearances for the Tigers, it is with Bolton Wanderers where Randell lifted silverware, featuring 81 times and winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley Stadium. His most recent club was Leyton Orient, signing a short-term deal in February 2025 and scoring twice in 17 appearances as the O’s reached the League One play-off final.

Speaking to RoyalsTV, Leam Richardson commented: "Randell is a good person and a good professional that knows the level. He played in the playoffs over the last couple of years, has a good CV and is very adaptable and flexible with his positioning. He is somebody, as a person and a player, who we thought would add to our group.

"We are in transition with the squad, so we want to improve every window. He has been training for a couple of weeks before I came in, I know Randell from Bolton and Leyton Orient anyway, so it is a no brainer for us with the squad where it is."

Welcome to Reading, Randell!

[Clyde1998]

The fact he's been on trial with us may allow him to come straight into the squad tomorrow - doubt he'll start.

Don't know if this implies a few of our wingers - thinking Ritchie and Lane are both out until January or whether he's coming in as an alternative to Jacob at left-back.

[scumbag]

Run Run Run Run Randell!

[South Coast Royal]

On loan at Wycombe previously so obviously known to Jacobsen.
Am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing-we will see.

We have had a few Williams over the years and most have been ok so let's hope that trend continues.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Obvious question is why did he not have a club? But that is who we can sign. At least we've had a good look at him.

[Clyde1998]

On loan at Wycombe previously so obviously known to Jacobsen.
Am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing-we will see.

We have had a few Williams over the years and most have been ok so let's hope that trend continues.

I do think it's maybe been triggered by the recent injuries to Ritchie and Lane; either that or he's being seen as a better option than Jacob at left-back.

If it's the latter and he does well, we could well send Jacob back in January and give Williams a longer term deal (at least until the end of the season). He's 29 in December, so again a more 'experienced' signing - although they're probably the only players available at this stage of the season.

[RoyalBlue]

On loan at Wycombe previously so obviously known to Jacobsen.
Am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing-we will see.

We have had a few Williams over the years and most have been ok so let's hope that trend continues.

I do think it's maybe been triggered by the recent injuries to Ritchie and Lane; either that or he's being seen as a better option than Jacob at left-back.

If it's the latter and he does well, we could well send Jacob back in January and give Williams a longer term deal (at least until the end of the season). He's 29 in December, so again a more 'experienced' signing - although they're probably the only players available at this stage of the season.

I think he was already on trial before the injuries happened, so suspect it was more about strengthening depth of squad, which Noel Hunt alluded to before he was sacked.

[Sutekh]

Rather have Kenneth.

[RoyalBlue]

Two Williams.

Commentators will have to work a bit harder!

Grab another one and we're well on the way to a Christmas carol.

'On the first day of Christmas, Ron Couhig gave to me...
Derrick Williams

On the second day of Christmas Ron Couhig gave to me...
'Randell WIlliams'

[RoyalBlue]

Rather have Kenneth.

At least go for Robbie so that we can have some greater financial clout!

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Rather have Danny Williams (back)

[Clyde1998]

Saw this on the club’s Facebook page:

We had him at Bolton. Bit of pace, not that great at defending, a bit lightweight, a very very long throw and seemed like a decent lad

Orient fan on their forum:

Good player in there somewhere

Given he’ll be twenty-nine in January, coupled with him being a free agent this long into the season, it doesn’t fill me with a huge amount of confidence about him - probably just solid enough for this level.

Maybe low expectations are what we need right now. We also don’t know what Richardson will be looking for him to do, nor what tactical shifts he’ll be making generally.

[Hound]

In for the long throw

My guess is he’s going to play as an attacking fb/wb. Main job other than basic defending is to swing crosses in

[themwasthedays]

Yes, maybe another Andy Legg to terrorise defenders with his throw-ins.

[Brogue]

A long throw into the box where none of our players can head the ball. Have we scored from a set piece yet?…: the answer is no btw. Only club in the efl not to have scored from a set piece so far.

[Hound]

A long throw into the box where none of our players can head the ball. Have we scored from a set piece yet?…: the answer is no btw. Only club in the efl not to have scored from a set piece so far.

That’s no suprise at all. As discussed elsewhere we’ve acquired a forward line of short arses. Suprised we haven’t conceded more from set pieces as well

Hoepfully LR can start changing things to fix this obvious issue

[Brogue]

A long throw into the box where none of our players can head the ball. Have we scored from a set piece yet?…: the answer is no btw. Only club in the efl not to have scored from a set piece so far.

That’s no suprise at all. As discussed elsewhere we’ve acquired a forward line of short arses. Suprised we haven’t conceded more from set pieces as well

Hoepfully LR can start changing things to fix this obvious issue

fingers crossed. Mikele Leigertwood is our set piece coach and he has remained at the club, so....

Was trying to think if we've scored a header this season in the league then remembered Wifi scored the winner against Northampton with his noggin. other than that i'm struggling to remember another one. the more i think about this assembled squad the more you realize how disjointed it all is.

[Hound]

A long throw into the box where none of our players can head the ball. Have we scored from a set piece yet?…: the answer is no btw. Only club in the efl not to have scored from a set piece so far.

That’s no suprise at all. As discussed elsewhere we’ve acquired a forward line of short arses. Suprised we haven’t conceded more from set pieces as well

Hoepfully LR can start changing things to fix this obvious issue

fingers crossed. Mikele Leigertwood is our set piece coach and he has remained at the club, so....

Was trying to think if we've scored a header this season in the league then remembered Wifi scored the winner against Northampton with his noggin. other than that im struggling to remember a headed goal in the league.

And yes on the disjointed squad. Decent individuals on the whole but with no idea how it all fits together


Camara at Wycombe bizarrely. Did Fraser maybe? Have a feeling he did at some point, may have been cup

[Sutekh]

Yes, maybe another Andy Legg to terrorise defenders with his throw-ins.

And which of our big physical 6 foot plus strikers will start benefitting?

[traff]

Rather have Serena on the right and Venus on the left.