Welsh great Liam Williams joins Newcastle Red Bulls revolution ahead of Gallagher PREM kick-off - 'I want to challenge myself'
Updated 22/09/2025 at 12:06 GMT+1
Legendary Wales back Liam Williams has signed for Newcastle Red Bulls, as the club's summer revolution continues. Williams, a 93-cap Wales icon, has also appeared for the British & Irish Lions in a stellar career that now sees him become the latest piece of the club's rebuilding under their new Red Bull ownership. Williams said he was relishing the "challenge" of the project under Steve Diamond.
Highlights: Impressive Newcastle Red Bulls beat Harlequins in PREM Rugby Cup
Video credit: TNT Sports
Legendary Wales back Liam Williams has signed for Newcastle Red Bulls, it was announced on Monday.
The 34-year-old left Saracens at the end of last season, and has now moved to the north east for a new start at a club undergoing a rapid transformation under their new Red Bull ownership.
Newcastle kick off their Gallagher PREM campaign this Friday, when they face - coincidentally - Saracens.
In a statement, Williams said: "It’s a good opportunity to experience something new, and I can’t wait to get started.
"It’s an exciting time to be joining Newcastle with Red Bull taking over the club, and everything they’re able to bring to the sport.
"I came up to speak to [director of rugby] Steve Diamond, to see the set-up and hear his plans for how it is all going to evolve, and I’m just keen to get into it.
"I want to challenge myself, and hopefully I’m able to add a bit of experience to the squad and help some of the younger guys to maximise their ability."
On his new acquisition, Diamond added: "Liam has done it all in terms of domestic, European and international rugby, but his enthusiasm for the sport remains as strong as ever.
"At this stage in our journey he gives us the kind of experience we need, and he’s a proven winner.
"Throughout our conversations it was abundantly clear he just wants to perform at the highest level, and he’ll be a great influence on the other players in our environment.
"I’m looking forward to seeing his impact on and off the field, and it just continues the growing sense of excitement around the club at the moment."
Williams has been one of the stars of Welsh rugby over the last 15 years, turning out 93 times for his country and contributing most memorably to their Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
He also went on two British & Irish Lions tours, performing superbly on the 2017 tour of New Zealand, and earning five Lions Test caps in total.
By staying in the UK, he is perhaps eyeing a century of Wales caps, should he be selected for their Quilter Nations Series and 2026 Six Nations games.
Williams' club career saw him start with the Scarlets, before spells at Saracens - twice - Cardiff, and Kubota Spears in Japan.
As announced by Newcastle, Williams has joined the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.
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