The 22-year-old centre-back, key to Liverpool’s rescued 2020-21 season, is heading north to establish himself.

After two disappointing interrupted loan spells in 2021/22 and 2022/23, Liverpool’s 22-year-old centre-back Rhys Williams will be hoping for a third time to be the charm as he heads north to Scotland to join Aberdeen for the season 2023/24.

Williams, along with Nat Phillips, were key as Liverpool salvaged the 2020-21 season and made a strong late push to finish fourth, but the next two years didn’t go to plan as the young defender born in Preston tries to establish himself.

His first loan after his first team with the Reds saw him go to Swansea, making seven appearances before being recalled in January. The following season he joined Blackpool and made 17 appearances before being recalled.

He played at league level on both loans. Prior to his time in the Liverpool first team, he spent a season on loan at Kidderminster, making 26 appearances for the Harriers, albeit in National League North in the sixth tier.

Hopefully the Scottish league – and a club that saw Liverpool loan Leighton Clarkson excel last year before joining them permanently this summer – are the right choice for Williams and he can take the next step in his career. .

More news………

Roberto Firmino signs a contract with the Saudi Pro League.

Roberto Firmino has agreed to transfer to Saudi Arabia

The striker follows Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Saudi Pro League

He leaves Liverpool after eight years and 362 appearances

Ex-Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is on the verge of joining his next club after becoming the latest player to agree a transfer to Saudi Arabia in the 90th minute.

Firmino left Liverpool after eight years and six major trophies at the end of the 2022-23 season, with his contract expiring this month.

The Brazilian, who has scored 111 goals in 362 appearances and has been praised for his impact by both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in recent days, explained his decision to move on was motivated by the end of the ‘cycle’ and from the feeling that it was good. time to do it.

Jurgen Klopp had wanted Firmino to stay at Anfield, declaring in January: “I want to keep him.” The Liverpool manager later admitted he was “surprised” when the forward announced he was ready to leave.

90min are aware that Firmino will now be one of the next big names to lead his career in the Saudi Pro League, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.

The 31-year-old has agreed a three-year contract, extending it just months after his 35th birthday in 2026. He is set to join Al-Ahli, one of the league’s top four clubs, controlled by the Investment Fund Saudi Arabian Public (PIF), which also owns a majority stake in Newcastle.

Al-Ahli is keen to announce his arrival as soon as possible, possibly as early as this week, as he has also agreed to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea.

Al-Ahli won their last Saudi Pro League title in 2016 and have always finished second.

They are the latest of the big four teams to sign an international superstar, after Al-Ittihad signed the aforementioned Benzema and Kante, Al-Nassr signed Ronaldo and soon to be Hakim Ziyech, and Al-Hilal signed Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.