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MJ Williams
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Michael Jordan Williams (born 6 November 1995) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for EFL League Two club Barrow. He can play either central midfield or centre-back.[4][5]
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Liverpool
[edit]Williams joined Liverpool academy at U14 level, having previously been playing for Wrexham.[4][5][6]
On 23 September 2014, he made his first-team debut in a League Cup clash against Middlesbrough, coming on as a substitute in 79th minute for Jordan Rossiter. Williams scored in the penalty shootout.[7] He was an unused substitute in the game against AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Cup, and against Blackburn Rovers in a quarter-final of the same tournament, as well as Premier League games against Burnley and Manchester City and a UEFA Europa League clash against Turkish side Beşiktaş J.K.[8] On 22 January 2015, he signed his first professional contract, signing a 2+1⁄2-year deal with Liverpool.[9]
In 2015 Williams picked up an injury so bad he was nearly forced to retire, however after being the first Welsh footballer to undergo a cartilage transplant he was able to recover and continue his career.[10]
In the 2016–17 season, Williams returned from his injury and was featured for the Liverpool U23 side.[11] He did appear as an unused substitute in a FA Cup fourth round replay against Plymouth Argyle, which saw Liverpool win 1–0.[12] In January transfer window of 2017, Williams was expected to leave the club on a permanent basis, with Charlton Athletic and MK Dons were among interested.[13] Although the move never happened, Williams stayed at the club for the rest of the season; eventually, signing a contract extension.[14]
He was released by Liverpool at the end of the 2017–18 season.[15]
Loan spells
[edit]On 26 March 2015, Williams was loaned out to Notts County.[16] He made his Notts County debut, where he started the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against Scunthorpe United on 28 March 2015.[17] He went on to make eight appearances for the side, as Notts County were relegated to League Two next season.[18] He returned to his parent club at the end of the 2014–15 season.[19]
On 10 July 2015, he joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan.[20] Williams made his Swindon Town debut in the opening game of the season, where he set up a goal for Nathan Byrne, who went on to score a hat–trick, in a 4–1 win over Bradford City.[21] He started out in the midfield position before moving to the defence position.[22] However, he suffered a knee injury that saw him sidelined for most of the season.[23] Although he returned to training in early–2016, Manager Martin Ling hinted about terminating his loan with Swindon Town last month, though he resigned as Manager that month.[24] After cutting his loan spell with the club in February 2016 to allow Williams to heal from his knee injury, he went on to make ten appearances for Swindon Town.[25]
On 31 August 2017, Williams was loaned to Rochdale until 1 January 2018.[26] He made his Rochdale debut, where he started the whole game and played with teammate with the same name, in a 0–0 draw against Southend United on 2 September 2017.[27] In the EFL Trophy Group Stage against Bury, Williams set up a goal for Ian Henderson to score the fourth goal, in a 4–0 win on 19 September 2017.[28] He went on to make 14 appearances for Rochdale before suffering an injury that ended his loan spell at the club.[29]
Rochdale
[edit]On 14 June 2018, he joined Rochdale on a permanent deal, signing a two-year contract.[30]
Williams' first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season against Burton Albion, where he started the whole game, in a 2–1 win for Rochdale.[31] A 4–0 loss against Barnsley on 21 August 2018 included three players by the name of Jordan Williams, with two of them at Rochdale and one at Barnsley.[32]
Blackpool
[edit]Williams joined Blackpool on 24 August 2020, signing a one-year contract with the option for a further year.[33]
Bolton Wanderers
[edit]On 1 February 2021, Williams joined League Two side Bolton Wanderers on an 18-month contract.[34] His debut came on 9 February in a 1–1 draw against Morecambe.[35] Bolton finished the season in third, winning promotion to League One[36] and Williams revealed there was a clause in his contract which would extend it by another year if he made a certain number of appearances in League One during the 2021–2022 season[37] and 5 November his contract was extended to 2023.[38]
On 9 April 2022, he scored the first league goal of his career when finding the net for Bolton in the 90th minute of a 1–1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at the University of Bolton Stadium. The only other goal of his career had come in the FA Cup for Rochdale away at Newcastle United in January 2020.[39]
On 2 April, he came on as a substitute in the 2023 EFL Trophy Final against Plymouth Argyle. Bolton went on to win 4–0.[40] At the end of the season, he had played enough matches to see his contract extended for another year.[41]
Milton Keynes Dons
[edit]On 12 July 2023, Williams joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee.[42] He made his debut for the club in the opening game of the 2023–24 season on 5 August 2023, in a 5–3 away win over Wrexham.[43]
Barrow
[edit]On 23 January 2025, Williams joined League Two side Barrow for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal.[44]
International career
[edit]Having previously featured for the Wales U17 side, Williams made his Wales under-21 debut in a 1–1 draw against Lithuania on 9 September 2014.[45]
In August 2015, Williams was called up to the Wales senior squad for the first time.[46] He was an unused substitute in the 1–0 win over Cyprus on 3 September 2015.[47]
Personal life
[edit]Williams was born in Bangor, North Wales. He is a fluent Welsh speaker,[48] and attended Welsh-medium school Ysgol y Garnedd.[49]
In March 2016, during a Europa League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, a tweet was sent from Williams' Twitter account which was construed by many as mocking the Munich air disaster. Williams at the time claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked, he apologised and deleted his account.[50] He was later interviewed about the incident and revealed the anguish the incident had caused him and that he had thought "that Tweet could have finished me in football". He explained that he had not intended to reference the Munich air disaster but that it was a reference he and his friends had regularly made about "flying" when doing well. He admitted that his claim that his account had been hacked was borne from a naive panic and was not true.[51]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of 23 January 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Liverpool | 2014–15[52] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Notts County (loan) | 2014–15[52] | League One | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Swindon Town (loan) | 2015–16[53] | League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Rochdale (loan) | 2017–18[54] | League One | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Rochdale | 2018–19[55] | League One | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2019–20[56] | League One | 28 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | |
| Total | 68 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 82 | 1 | ||
| Blackpool | 2020–21[57] | League One | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 2020–21[57] | League Two | 21 | 0 | — | — | — | 21 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22[58] | League One | 40 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 44 | 1 | |
| 2022–23[59] | League One | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| Total | 89 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 100 | 1 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons | 2023–24[60] | League Two | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 42 | 1 |
| 2024–25[61] | League Two | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| Total | 50 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 57 | 2 | ||
| Barrow | 2024–25[61] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | 234 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 272 | 4 | ||
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ 1 appearance in the EFL Trophy, 2 appearances 2023–24 EFL League Two play-offs
Honours
[edit]- Bolton Wanderers
- EFL League Two third-place (promotion): 2020–21[62][57]
- EFL Trophy: 2022–23[40]
References
[edit]- ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Blackpool" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Jordan M. Williams". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Williams: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Jordan Williams". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b Carbis, Ian (26 August 2015). "Who is Liverpool FC youngster Jordan Williams - the teenager called up by Wales for the two biggest games of a generation?". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Five Facts About Jordan Williams". Rochdale A.F.C. 1 September 2017. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Liverpool 2-2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport.
- ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–2 Liverpool". BBC Football. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
"Jordan Williams aiming to hold-down permanent place with Liverpool first-team". Empire of the Kop. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015. - ^ "Liverpool FC starlet Jordan Williams signs new contract". Liverpool Echo. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "'I could have lost it all' - MJ Williams on saving his career and Bolton future". The Bolton News. 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Returning Liverpool FC loan stars on a mission to impress Klopp". Liverpool Echo. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"Forgotten man of Liverpool relaunching his career". Liverpool Echo. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Plymouth Argyle 0 – 1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Liverpool midfielder Jordan Williams on the move". Liverpool Echo. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Liverpool release seven players as they submit retained squad list to Premier League". Liverpool Echo. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ James Pearce (18 May 2018). "Liverpool set to release three players as they close in on the signing of Chelsea star". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "Notts County Snap Up Premier League Duo On Loan". Notts County F.C. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015.
- ^ "Notts County 2 – 2 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Gillingham 3–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"Williams: With The Fans On Our Side We Will Get Out Of This Struggle". Notts County F.C. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "The Retained List". Notts County F.C. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Liverpool midfielder Jordan Williams joins Swindon on loan". BBC Sport. 10 July 2015.
"Liverpool midfielder Jordan Williams joins Swindon on loan". Liverpool F.C. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. - ^ "FULL-TIME REPORT: Swindon Town 4 Bradford City 1". Swindon Advertiser. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Lawrence is right behind pal Jordan". Swindon Advertiser. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"PLAYER RATINGS: Southend United v Swindon Town". Swindon Advertiser. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town v Colchester United". Swindon Advertiser. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Williams joins Town's injury list". Swindon Advertiser. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Lawrence Vigouroux returns to Liverpool for progress report". Swindon Advertiser. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"New Year resolutions for Swindon Town captain Nathan Thompson and Liverpool loanee Jordan Williams". Swindon Advertiser. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Liverpool FC youngster steps up recovery from knee injury". Liverpool Echo. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Williams joins Rochdale until January". Liverpool FC. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Southend United 0 – 0 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Bury 0–4 Rochdale". Rochdale Online. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "It's A Brilliant Move For Me - Jordan Williams". Rochdale A.F.C. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Williams: Rochdale sign Liverpool midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Burton Albion 1 – 2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "'There's only, err, three Jordan Williams'". BT Sport. 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"Huddersfield Town product Jordan Williams hits the headlines - three times!". The Huddersfield Examiner. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Jordan Williams signs for Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Wanderers swoop for MJ Williams". Bolton Wanderers FC. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 9 February 2021.
- ^ Media, P. A. (13 May 2021). "League Two: Bolton and Cambridge earn promotion, Cheltenham take title". The Guardian.
- ^ "MJ Williams: They had to smuggle us past Bolton Wanderers fans in a police van!". The Bolton News. 13 May 2021.
- ^ "New Deals For Key Quartet | Bolton Wanderers FC". www.bwfc.co.uk.
- ^ https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/april/report-wanderers-v-sheffield-wednesday/, Report: Bolton Wanderers 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1, Bolton Wanderers FC, 9 April 2022
- ^ a b "Bolton Wanderers 4-0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Wanderers Confirm Retained List". bwfc.co.uk. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Don Deal: MK Dons complete move for MJ Williams". Milton Keynes Dons. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Wrexham 3-5 Milton Keynes Dons: Dragons' EFL return spoiled by Dons". BBC. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "MJ Williams Signs". www.barrowafc.com. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "Lithuania U21 1-1 Wales U21". faw.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Euro 2016: Joe Allen ruled out of Wales qualifiers". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Williams on the bench as Bale takes Wales close to historic qualification". The Swindon Advertiser. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"Cyprus 0 – 1 Wales". BBC Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Ar y Marc". BBC Radio Cymru. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ "Cymro 19 oed yn sgorio i Lerpwl". Golwg 360. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Liverpool investigating alleged Munich air disaster tweet by youth team player Jordan Williams". The Guardian. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
"Liverpool's Jordan Williams accused of mocking Munich air disaster in tweet". Metro. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2018. - ^ "Football Journeys Podcast - MJ Williams". YouTube. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Games played by MJ Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Games played by MJ Williams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Games played by MJ Williams in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "MJ Williams | Football Stats | Bolton Wanderers | Season 2018/2019 | Soccer Base".
- ^ "MJ Williams | Football Stats | Bolton Wanderers | Season 2019/2020 | Soccer Base".
- ^ a b c "Games played by MJ Williams in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Games played by MJ Williams in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ^ "Games played by MJ Williams in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Games played by MJ Williams in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by MJ Williams in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "League Two Betting | 2024/25 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
External links
[edit]- Profile at the Milton Keynes Dons F.C. website
- Welsh FA Profile
- MJ Williams – UEFA competition record (archive)
MJ Williams
View on GrokipediaPersonal life
Early life and education
Michael Jordan Williams was born on 6 November 1995 in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales.[9][10] Growing up in Bangor, a town in north Wales with a strong Welsh-speaking community, Williams became fluent in the Welsh language.[9][11] He attended Ysgol y Garnedd, a Welsh-medium primary school in Bangor.[12][11] Williams transitioned to a football academy.[9]2016 social media controversy
In March 2016, while on loan at Swindon Town from Liverpool, MJ Williams—then known as Jordan Williams—found himself at the center of a social media storm following Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg at Old Trafford. After attending the match, Williams posted a tweet containing an airplane emoji followed by clapping hands emojis, which many interpreted as a reference to the 1958 Munich air disaster that claimed 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players. The post quickly drew widespread condemnation from Manchester United fans and others, who viewed it as insensitive and mocking a tragic event in football history.[13][14][15] Williams swiftly deleted the tweet and issued a public apology on Twitter, claiming his account had been hacked and denying any intent to offend. He stated, "My Twitter has been hacked, I would never put anything like that to offend anyone, sorry about this," before permanently deleting his Twitter account to prevent further issues. The incident occurred amid his early career development through Liverpool's loan system, highlighting the pressures of social media scrutiny on young professionals.[13][14][16] Liverpool FC responded promptly, launching an internal investigation into the matter and confirming they were aware of the allegations. A club spokesperson emphasized that they take such issues seriously but would handle it privately, stating, "We are aware of the incident and are dealing with it internally." Swindon Town, his loan club at the time, did not issue a separate statement but supported Liverpool's approach.[17][18] The controversy damaged Williams' public image temporarily, portraying him as potentially unprofessional during a formative stage of his career and drawing media attention that overshadowed his on-pitch contributions. Despite his consistent denials of authoring the post, the backlash underscored the risks of social media for athletes, with Williams later reflecting on it as a learning experience amid ongoing loan spells in Liverpool's youth development pathway. The episode did not result in formal disciplinary action from the clubs, and Williams has maintained that the account was compromised, a claim he reiterated in subsequent interviews.[15][19]Club career
Liverpool academy and first team
MJ Williams joined Liverpool's academy at the age of 13 in 2009, signing from Wrexham despite interest from Manchester City and Everton.[19] He progressed through the youth ranks at the club's Kirkby training facility, developing as a defensive midfielder and becoming a regular in the under-18 and under-21 teams.[19] By his late teens, Williams had earned opportunities to train with the senior squad at Melwood, where he notably faced Italian striker Mario Balotelli during sessions in 2014.[19] Williams made his first-team debut on 23 September 2014, at the age of 18, in a League Cup third-round match against Middlesbrough at Anfield.[2] Coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Jordan Rossiter, he participated in the ensuing penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, successfully converting his spot-kick as Liverpool advanced 14-13.[19] This appearance marked his only senior outing for the club, as subsequent opportunities were limited by the intense competition for midfield places under manager Brendan Rodgers, with established players like Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson dominating the position.[19] Williams' development was further hindered by a serious knee injury sustained shortly after his debut, which required multiple surgeries and sidelined him for extended periods.[19] Despite efforts to regain form through youth and reserve matches, he was unable to break into the first team regularly. Liverpool released him at the end of the 2017–18 season upon the expiry of his contract.[20]Loan spells
Williams began his loan career in March 2015, joining League One side Notts County on a short-term deal until the end of the 2014–15 season.[21] Playing as a midfielder, he made 8 appearances for the club, which finished 21st and suffered relegation to League Two.[22][23] These outings provided Williams with his first taste of senior professional football, helping him build match fitness before returning to Liverpool.[20] In July 2015, Williams secured a season-long loan to League One club Swindon Town, where he featured in 9 matches during the 2015–16 campaign.[24][22] He made an immediate impact by assisting a goal on his debut in the opening-day victory over Southend United and contributed to the team's mid-table finish in 15th place, securing survival in the division.[25][26] The spell enhanced his understanding of competitive League One football, after which he returned to Liverpool's academy setup.[24] Williams' third loan came in August 2017, when he moved to League One outfit Rochdale on an initial deal until January 2018.[27] Over the course of the 2017–18 season, he adapted quickly to the physical demands of the league, making 12 appearances as Rochdale ended 20th and avoided relegation.[22][28] This period marked a significant step in his development, improving his physicality and tactical awareness in senior environments before he returned to Liverpool.[20] Collectively, these loan spells from Liverpool—totaling 29 appearances across League One and Two—played a crucial role in Williams' progression, exposing him to regular first-team action and fostering greater resilience and experience.[22]Rochdale
In June 2018, Williams joined Rochdale on a permanent free transfer from Liverpool, signing an initial two-year contract upon the expiry of his previous deal.[29] Having previously spent time on loan at the club during the 2017–18 season, he brought familiarity to the League One side. Williams primarily operated as a central midfielder during his tenure, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the squad. In the 2018–19 season, he became a regular starter, contributing to the team's midfield stability with 30 appearances in League One.[30] The following 2019–20 campaign saw him maintain his role, featuring in 21 League One matches, though the season was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which suspended fixtures from March until a curtailed resumption in June.[30] Across his two seasons at Rochdale from 2018 to 2020, Williams made a total of 70 appearances in all competitions.[31] He was released by the club in June 2020 upon the expiration of his contract, as part of Rochdale's squad restructuring following the abbreviated season.[32]Blackpool
On 24 August 2020, following a consistent spell in League One with Rochdale, MJ Williams joined Blackpool on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract with the club holding an option to extend it by another year.[33] This move represented an opportunity for Williams to continue his development in the third tier under manager Neil Critchley, who was building a promotion-challenging side at Bloomfield Road.[34] Williams made 10 appearances in the 2020–21 EFL League One season for Blackpool, primarily as a substitute, with limited starts due to fierce competition in midfield and adaptation challenges to the team's tactical setup. His involvement was further hampered by an elbow injury sustained during a 2–1 victory over Burton Albion on 24 October 2020, which scans confirmed would sideline him for several weeks rather than days, causing him to miss key fixtures including an FA Cup tie.[35] Overall, he featured in 14 matches across all competitions during his brief tenure, without recording a goal or assist.[36] On 1 February 2021, Williams completed a permanent free transfer to Bolton Wanderers, effectively ending his time at Blackpool five months after arriving.[36] The departure allowed him to seek more regular playing time elsewhere, as Blackpool thanked him for his contributions and wished him well for the future.[36]Bolton Wanderers
MJ Williams joined Bolton Wanderers on 1 February 2021, signing an 18-month contract from Blackpool.[4] He immediately integrated into the squad under manager Ian Evatt, making 21 appearances during the 2020–21 League Two season and playing a pivotal role in their promotion push.[37] Williams featured in crucial late-season fixtures, including the full 90 minutes in the 4–1 victory over Crawley Town that confirmed Bolton's third-place finish and automatic promotion to League One on 8 May 2021.[38] His defensive midfield presence contributed to a solid backline, helping the team secure 28 wins from 46 league games.[39] In November 2021, Williams extended his contract with Bolton, committing his future to the club beyond the initial term.[40] Over the following seasons, he established himself as a reliable squad member, featuring regularly in League One campaigns. Across his two-and-a-half-year stint from 2021 to 2023, Williams amassed 100 appearances and scored 1 goal in all competitions, with his solitary strike coming in a 1–1 league draw against Sheffield Wednesday on 9 April 2022.[37][41] Williams played a significant part in Bolton's 2022–23 EFL Trophy triumph, appearing in multiple knockout rounds and substituting in during the final as they defeated Plymouth Argyle 4–0 at Wembley Stadium on 2 April 2023.[42] This victory marked the club's first major trophy since 1989 and highlighted his contributions to their cup success.[43] His 35 appearances that season also triggered an automatic one-year extension, though he departed the club in July 2023 after two-and-a-half years.[44][45]Milton Keynes Dons
On 12 July 2023, MJ Williams joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons from Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[2][1] Williams quickly established himself as a regular in the MK Dons midfield during the 2023–24 season, making 41 appearances across all competitions and scoring twice, including a goal in a 2–1 league win over Gillingham in September 2023. His consistent performances, often partnering with players like Ethan Robson, contributed to the team's strong campaign, as they finished fourth in League Two and qualified for the promotion playoffs, though they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Crawley Town.[46] In the following 2024–25 season, Williams continued to feature prominently in the early months, adding 18 more appearances and one assist before his mid-season departure, helping maintain the club's mid-table position amid a transitional period. Overall, during his 18-month stint at MK Dons, he made 59 appearances and scored two goals, drawing on his prior promotion experience from Bolton to provide defensive solidity and leadership in midfield.[44] Williams' time at the club ended on 23 January 2025, when he completed a permanent transfer to fellow League Two side Barrow for an undisclosed fee, six months before his contract was due to expire.[47]Barrow
On 23 January 2025, MJ Williams transferred to League Two club Barrow from MK Dons for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract expiring on 30 June 2027.[47] Williams has primarily featured as a defensive midfielder in Barrow's setup, providing solidity in the center of the park and leveraging his experience from prior League Two spells to aid the team's transition play.[10] Following his arrival, he contributed to the remainder of the 2024–25 season with 18 League Two appearances and 3 cup outings.[48] In the early stages of the 2025–26 campaign up to November 2025, Williams has added 7 league appearances and 2 cup matches, bringing his total for Barrow to approximately 30 outings across all competitions as of November 2025. In October 2025, he made his 300th professional appearance.[8][49] His consistent involvement has supported Barrow's defensive structure, helping the side maintain a mid-table position in League Two amid a competitive season.[50]International career
Youth career
Williams earned his first call-up to the Wales under-21 team in 2014, based on his form at club level. He made his only appearance for the side in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Lithuania on 9 September 2014.[51] Earlier in his youth career, Williams featured for the Wales under-17 team in development matches and training camps aimed at preparing for UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers. Selection for these levels emphasized players showing consistent performances in domestic academies.Senior career
Williams received his first call-up to the Wales senior national team in August 2015, ahead of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches, following impressive performances during a loan spell at Swindon Town in League One.[19] He was named in the squad by manager Chris Coleman and assigned jersey number 22, but remained an unused substitute in both fixtures: a 1–0 victory over Cyprus on 3 September and a 0–0 draw against Israel on 6 September.[52][53] Despite this initial inclusion, Williams has not earned a senior cap for Wales as of November 2025, with no further appearances or starts recorded in international matches.[52] His exposure was limited to these two bench appearances during the 2015–16 season, marking the extent of his involvement with the senior team to date.[52] Williams' senior international opportunities came amid a golden era for Welsh football, as the team qualified for UEFA Euro 2016—their first major tournament since 1958—and advanced to the semi-finals, defeating teams like Northern Ireland, Belgium, and Portugal en route. Subsequent successes included reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup playoffs and qualifying for UEFA Euro 2020, but Williams was not recalled despite solid club form at Bolton Wanderers in 2021, where he expressed hopes for a return based on his performances.[54] No additional training invites or near-misses have been reported since his debut call-up.[54]Professional profile
Playing style
MJ Williams primarily operates as a defensive midfielder, often deployed in a central role where he anchors the midfield and provides stability to the team's structure. Capable of transitioning into a box-to-box role when required, his game emphasizes defensive discipline over attacking flair, allowing him to shield the backline effectively while contributing to build-up play from deeper positions.[55][56] His strengths lie in defensive solidity, exemplified by his proficiency in aerial duels and ability to win possession through timely interceptions and tackles, making him a reliable "ball-winner" in high-pressure scenarios. Williams also demonstrates strong short passing accuracy, with a preference for quick, progressive distribution to maintain possession and initiate attacks, as observed in his consistent performances during Bolton Wanderers' promotion campaign. Additionally, his high work rate across both defensive and transitional phases underscores his value as a tireless operator, often described as a "fighter" and stabilizing force by those familiar with his contributions.[55][56][38] However, Williams exhibits limitations in the final third, where his creativity and goal threat are minimal, reflecting a style more suited to containment than invention. He rarely ventures forward to influence attacking plays directly, which can restrict his involvement in offensive transitions.[55][56] Throughout his career, Williams has evolved from a promising youth prospect into a robust senior professional, particularly enhancing his physicality and versatility following loan spells and injury recoveries. Post-loans at clubs like Rochdale and Blackpool, he adapted to senior demands by bulking up and refining his positional awareness, enabling occasional shifts to central defense while maintaining his midfield core. This development was evident in his resilience at Bolton, where he returned from a significant knee injury to deliver consistent outings.[38][56]Career statistics
MJ Williams has accumulated 272 professional appearances and 4 goals across various English Football League clubs as of November 2025.[57] His statistics highlight consistent participation in midfield roles, primarily in League One and League Two, with limited goal contributions reflective of his defensive positioning.[10] The table below details his club career statistics, broken down by club, competition, appearances, and goals:| Club | Years | League Apps (Goals) | FA Cup Apps (Goals) | League Cup Apps (Goals) | Other Apps (Goals) | Total Apps (Goals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 2014–2018 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) |
| Notts County (loan) | 2015 | 8 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 8 (0) |
| Swindon Town (loan) | 2015 | 9 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 10 (0) |
| Rochdale (loan) | 2017–18 | 12 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 14 (0) |
| Rochdale | 2018–2020 | 50 (0) | 6 (1) | 3 (0) | 3 (0) | 62 (1) |
| Blackpool | 2020–2021 | 6 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 9 (0) |
| Bolton Wanderers | 2021–2023 | 90 (1) | 2 (0) | 3 (0) | 5 (0) | 100 (1) |
| Milton Keynes Dons | 2023–2025 | 50 (2) | 2 (0) | 2 (0) | 5 (0) | 59 (2) |
| Barrow | 2025– | 24 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 2 (0) | 28 (0) |
| Career Total | 249 (3) | 12 (1) | 11 (0) | 19 (0) | 291 (4) |
| Level | Appearances (Goals) |
|---|---|
| Senior | 0 (0) |
| U21 | 1 (0) |