RYAN Williams will return to Australia after signing for hometown club Perth Glory.

The 28-year-old leaves Oxford United for an undisclosed fee after making 78 appearances across two spells, scoring ten goals.

Williams has lived and played in England since he was a teenager, but feels it is the right time to return to the city of his birth.

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He told United’s official website: “I have loved my time in English football, particularly with Oxford where the gaffer, the players and the fans have been incredible.

“It’s a very special football club and that made my decision really difficult, but this is an unbelievable chance for me and my family and I am really looking forward to a new challenge.

“I have been in England for 12 years now and because of lockdown I hadn’t seen my family for three years, during which time I have had a little family of my own.

“When I heard of Perth’s interest I was flattered, not just because they are a club with really strong ambitions but because I grew up there; both my brothers (Rhys and Aryn) have played for the club.

“To play for my hometown club surrounded by family and friends who can come and watch me every week is something I’ve never had.

“My wife is English and we talked it through and realised we may never get an opportunity like this ever again.

“I want to thank the gaffer, who has such strong family values and fully understood what moving home meant to me, but I also want to thank all of the staff and fans for looking after me and making my time in Oxford so unforgettable.

“We may be half a world away pretty soon but I’ll certainly be wishing the club every success for the season ahead.”

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Williams joins a Perth side who finished bottom of the A-League last season.

The Australian had a year left on the contract he signed when he arrived from Portsmouth 12 months ago.

The Fratton Park club brought Williams to England when he was picked up by their academy aged 16 in 2010, before he joined Fulham in January 2012.

They loaned him to United in 2013/14 and he scored eight goals in 42 games during his first full season in senior football.

He left Fulham for Barnsley in July 2015 and stints at Rotherham United and Portsmouth followed, before he rejected a new contract at Fratton Park to re-join the U’s last June.

Williams scored twice in 36 appearances last season, playing in a variety of positions up and down the flanks.

Head coach Karl Robinson said: “Willo has been amazing for us.

“He is an outstanding individual, one of the brightest lads I’ve coached, and he has been very honest and clear about this move, as you would expect from him.

“It’s a wonderful adventure for him and for his young family and he leaves on the best of terms with our best wishes for the future.”