A former Manchester United star, who made 51 appearances for the Reds, has returned to football eight months after leaving his last club

Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has signed a short-term contract at Rotherham United.

The 26-year-old had been without a club after leaving Hull City back in February. He endured a nightmare six months at the Tigers, making just one first-team appearance and that came as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers.

But now, after training with Rotherham throughout pre-season and into mid-October, Williams has signed a three-month contract at the League Two side until January 23, 2027.

Williams could make his Rotherham debut when the Millers host Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. He will wear the No.33 shirt at the ASSEAL New York Stadium.

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Following Williams' arrival, Rotherham head coach Alex Bruce said: "He deserves the contract. He's worked really hard with us since pre-season, has shown a great attitude every day and an appetite and hunger just to play.

"He's had a tough few years. Not that you want to give contracts out willy-nilly, but when someone has showed the appetite, desire and hunger to come in every day and not get paid, like he has done - and let's not lose sight of where he's been and what kind of career he has had - I'm really pleased to give him the opportunity to give his career a kick-start.

"He looks a hell of a lot better than he did when he first arrived for pre-season. Let's hope he can kick on and be an asset for the football club."

Rotherham have endured a dismal start to the season. The Millers sit 22nd in the League Two table, having won just two of their opening 12 fourth-tier matches.

They were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Newport County on Tuesday, a result that extended their winless run to seven matches in all competitions, increasing the pressure on Bruce.

But Williams will be hoping to he can help Rotherham turn their fortunes around, starting with Saturday's visit of Shrewsbury, who are in-form having won their last three League Two matches.

Williams started his career at United and progressed through the ranks at Old Trafford, making 36 appearances, scoring once during his breakthrough 2019/20 season. But that is as good as it got for Williams at the Reds as his game time was reduced in the following campaign, with the full-back reduced to just 14 games.

He spent time out on loan at Norwich City and Ipswich Town before leaving United at the end of his contract in 2024. After more than 12 months out of the game, Williams returned to join Hull in 2025.