Reading HubReading Football Club has confirmed that defender Derrick Williams has retired from professional football. The Irish centre-half joined the Royals from Atlanta United last summer and quickly became a popular figure with supporters, making 24 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign.
What happened?
Derrick Williams has decided to hang up his boots after a long and varied career, despite having a year remaining on his contract.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a successful career, playing across England and the United States, as well as representing the Republic of Ireland at international level.
Why it matters for Reading
Williams' retirement comes as Reading looks to rebuild for the upcoming season, currently sitting 12th in League One with 63 points from 46 games.
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| League standing | 12th |
| Points | 63 |
| Recent form | LDLLL |
What comes next?
Williams thanked Reading supporters and said the club had been the perfect place to bring his career to a close. He also expressed his gratitude to the club's coaching staff and said he remained optimistic about Reading's future.
As of the end of the 2025/26 season, Reading's recent form has been inconsistent, with 0 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in their last 5 games. Their last result was a 0-1 loss to Blackpool on 2026-05-02.
