League winner Robbie Williams joins Galway United

Galway United have announced that 33-year-old experienced campaigner Robbie Williams has joined the club on a one-year deal for the 2018 First Division campaign.

 

Williams will be a welcome addition to manager Shane Keegan’s young squad as the former Wexford Youths boss looks to build a side capable of securing promotion back to the Premier Division at the very first time of asking.

 

Speaking with galwayunitedfc.ie, the former Huddersfield man spoke of his delight at getting the chance to play for Shane Keegan’s side.

 

“It’s a new challenge. I’ve been at Limerick for a good few years and Cork City last year. Shane (Keegan) rang me a few weeks back and I’m delighted to come down to help and hopefully we can fire the team up to where it belongs.

 

“I’ll bring my experience in and we’ll guide the young lads to where they need to be. I’ve only been in a few days, but there’s a good bit of talent here. They just need guiding, a little bit of help and I’ll do that as best I can.”

 



Having been promoted from the First Division before, Williams has experience in what can be a punishing league at the best of times.

 

The Yorkshire man knows full well how difficult it can potentially be.

 

“It’s going to be a tough league. Three teams came down from the Premier, so we’re going to have to be on our game. A couple more players will probably have to come in, but we will be ready.”

 



Manager Shane Keegan also added his thoughts to Williams’ arrival.

 

“He’s a massively important signing for us. I’ve mentioned on a couple of occasions that we needed more at the back and until now we’ve been shaping up as a very young squad, so to get his experience in is very important.

 

“With Cork he would have picked up a league winners medal last season and in Limerick’s dominant promotion season in 2016, I think he was the outstanding defender in the First Division.

 

“He was named on the PFAI Team of The Year and he would certainly be at the forefront of your mind as one of the outstanding defenders in the division this season. To get that bit of shrewdness and experience that he brings with him will be a huge boost to us.”

 

Having joined up with the squad this week, Keegan has said that this signing ticks all his boxes as he attempts to finalise what is already very a strong squad that could potentially challenge at the top end of the First Division.

 

“He’s been training with us all week and he’s a natural talker and leader. He’s an organiser. That was something I was looking for. As well as being a good centre-half you’re looking for someone to tick those boxes for you as well.”