"Delighted" - Jordan Williams sends message to Portsmouth supporters after Barnsley exit | OneFootball

Portsmouth have completed the signing of defender Jordan Williams after his departure from Barnsley.

Pompey are preparing for life back in the Championship after winning the League One title, and Williams becomes the club's first signing of the summer.

Williams had spent the last six years with Barnsley after joining from Huddersfield Town in 2018, and he played a crucial role for the Tykes this season as they finished sixth in the third tier, scoring one goal and providing four assists in 52 appearances in all competitions.

Barnsley missed out on promotion as they were beaten by Bolton Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals, and Williams was among a host of senior players to leave Oakwell at the end of their contracts this summer.

Williams was reportedly the subject of interest from Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion after his exit from Oakwell, but Portsmouth have won the race for his signature.

Jordan Williams issues message to Portsmouth supporters

Williams took to social media to share a message with Pompey supporters after sealing his move to Fratton Park, revealing his excitement at joining the club.

"Delighted to sign for this massive club! Excited to get going and meet all you Pompey fans," Williams wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

It seems manager John Mousinho is also delighted with the news of Williams' arrival, and he believes the 24-year-old will add both defensive and offensive qualities to his side.

"Jordan has plenty of experience already, despite his relatively young age, with a lot of games under his belt," Mousinho told the club's official website.

"A lot of those have been in the Championship and he’s captained Barnsley as well, so has those important leadership qualities.

"We’re getting a right-back who’s defensively solid, while also possessing some exciting attacking attributes.

"There’s so much potential there and we’re delighted to be able to bring Jordan to Fratton Park as our first signing of the summer."

It has been a busy start to the summer for Portsmouth, with the likes of Matt Macey, Ryan Schofield, Joe Rafferty, Sean Raggett, Lee Evans and Josh Martin leaving the club at the end of their contracts, and Williams is unlikely to be their only new arrival as Mousinho looks to upgrade his squad for the Championship.

Jordan Williams signing is a statement of intent from Portsmouth

Williams reportedly had interest from two established Championship sides in Cardiff and West Brom after leaving Barnsley, so it is a big coup for newly-promoted Portsmouth to land his signature.

The defender did not enjoy his best season for Barnsley this term, but he played out of position at centre-back for much of the campaign, and he has shown previously how effective he can be when deployed in his natural right-back role.

Right-back was a position in need of strengthening for Pompey after Rafferty's exit, while Zak Swanson's future is also up in the air, so Williams is an excellent signing for Mousinho's men.

As Mousinho says, Williams will bring both defensive solidity and attacking threat to Fratton Park, as well as leadership qualities after captaining Barnsley this season, and having played in the Championship previously, he will have no problem making the step up to the second tier.