Town have confirmed the signing of Manchester United left-back Brandon Williams on a season-long loan.

As reported earlier, the 22-year-old stayed overnight in Ipswich before completing the formalities relating to his switch this morning.

“It feels good to be down here and I can’t wait to get started,” Williams told TownTV. “I’m coming here to hopefully get into the team and play a lot of games.

“There is some very good competition, which is a great challenge, but I’m excited to meet the players and get started.

“I played a lot of games when I broke through at United and have had a couple of tough seasons, too, so it’s good for me to get back out and start playing again.”

Williams, who will wear the Blues’ number 18 shirt, is looking forward to working with Town boss Kieran McKenna again at Portman Road.

“Kieran was my youth team coach at United and from there we have had a great relationship,” he added. “He has always had the standards of a coach at the top level and has had a big influence on me.

“He has always kept in touch with me to make sure I’m okay and I trust everything he says because he is great to learn off. I’m excited to work with him again.”

McKenna added: “We’re really pleased to have Brandon here. He’s someone I’ve known since a very young age and I’ve seen his journey and how hard he’s worked to get to where he’s got to.

“He’s still very young and has a large amount of experience for a 22-year-old, but is coming off a season where he hasn’t played many minutes and has had some bad luck with injuries.

“He’s a dynamic, athletic defender who plays with great energy and commitment and has good quality driving forward with the ball.

“He can go inside and outside from both wings and can pass and cross with both feet, he is an aggressive and positive defender who enjoys defending but can also give us thrust going forward from different positions.

“We think this is a good fit for our group and a really good step for him to come into our environment and culture, where he can work hard and get back to playing at the levels we know he is capable of.”

Contrary to reports earlier in the week, the deal doesn't include an option to buy.

Williams came through the academy at Old Trafford and has made 30 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, scoring one goal, including 13 Premier League starts, the most recent in 2020/21.

Last season, he made one senior appearance for United, as a late sub in a Carabao Cup victory over Burnley and he is yet to have any involvement this season.

Manchester-born Williams, who although right-footed prefers to play on the left, spent the 2012/22 season on loan at Norwich City during their Premier League relegation season, making 25 starts and four sub appearances.

The stint at Carrow Road ended unhappily when he was abused by a group of Canaries supporters who had waited for him outside the ground following his final game, a 4-0 home defeat by West Ham.

Williams subsequently posted posted a photo of his dogs, apparently a warning, and middle finger gesture on social media before removing the posts.

The 5ft 7in tall defender is contracted to United until next summer with the club having an option for a further season.

Saturday's opponents Leeds United were recently credited with interest in the full-back, who was spotted at Town’s opening fixture of the season at Sunderland.

Confirmation of the Williams deal will see Blues left-back Greg Leigh join Oxford United on a permanent basis with the League One U’s believed to be paying a small fee for the 28-year-old Jamaica international.

Leigh joined Town in the summer of 2022 after leaving Morecambe and has been an important and popular member of the squad, although with his league starts limited to only four due to the form of Leif Davis.

In addition to those four League One starts, Leigh has made 12 sub appearances and six cup starts, scoring one goal.

Photo: ITFC

robmonkey007 added 13:42 - Aug 24 How times have changed since the take over. Exceptional work by the Ipswich hierarchy is building such an exciting squad with dynamic football. Welcome to Ipswich… you’ll love it here
24

GiveusaWave added 13:44 - Aug 24 Welcome to the club!
11

Kentish_Tractor added 13:44 - Aug 24 Welcome to the project Brandon! Bout time KMcK pulled some strings and used his standing to secure a signing or two from his old clubs!
6

TractorCam added 13:45 - Aug 24 Welcome Brandon. I presume he will slot in at right back, JD got a knock at QPR and Clarke still getting back to fitness. All of those can cover Leif at left back if ever needed.
6

Bluearmy_81 added 13:46 - Aug 24 Yes Rob. Transfers like Douglas, Best, Hawkins and Drinan have changed for the likes of Davis, Chaplin, Broadhead and Williams! It’s a different world
15

chappie added 13:46 - Aug 24 An exciting loan addition who will push Davis for sure, and maybe can provide different options for other positions. KM clearly knows him well which would have been a big factor for him coming here. No mention of a buy clause? Can't wait for another rocking Portman Rd game on Saturday v Leeds!
7

martin587 added 13:47 - Aug 24 Excellent addition to the squad making it much stronger with plenty of options all over the park.Fingers crossed we just might see a further striker and CB come in before transfer deadline.
7

buckleshamblue60 added 13:50 - Aug 24 The very best of luck to Greg Leigh, who never let us down. Much too good not even to be on our bench quite a lot of the time. Many thanks Greg, you played an important part in our promotion last season. And welcome to Brandon Williams - as previously stated, Brandon Williams is a Blue...
36

BlueBoots added 13:53 - Aug 24 @Phil 3rd article where you've mentioned that Williams was on loan at Norwich for the 2012/22 season. I'm guessing it's because you think it must be deeply unpleasant playing for Norwich, so 1 season on loan actually feels like 10?
5

BlueArrow added 13:55 - Aug 24 Welcome to The Towen young man
4

bringmeaKuqi added 13:59 - Aug 24 TractorCam – I agree, would make sense to me to play him at right back in the long term, though I am guessing he will need a few weeks to get up to speed with us, so see Clarke starting on Saturday. Would imagine the end goal is to move Clarke into the centre.
2

Kentish_Tractor added 14:00 - Aug 24 BRANDON WILLIAMS IS A BLUE IS A BLUE IS A BLUE BRANDON WILLIAMS IS A BLUE HE HATES NORWICH (fans)
3

Orraman added 14:03 - Aug 24 We keep getting stronger. Not only is it going to be difficult to get in the chosen XI on any match day but it is also going to be damn hard to stay in that XI. Everyone is going to be at the top of their game at all times. My goodness, Jack Taylor, signed for a reported 1.5M has so far only had a few league minutes from the bench and must be looking forward to the next round of Caraboa Cup to get a game of football. No doubt injuries and suspensions as the season progresses will open a few doors but at the moment we are looking well prepared for some tough fixtures to come.

8

Tractor_Boy_Tommy added 14:04 - Aug 24 Very underwhelmed
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BlueySwede added 14:06 - Aug 24 Slightly disappointed it´s a loan without an option to buy, but I guess we will be in a good position to get him permanently if he enjoys his time with Town (and we are happy with him).
11

JewellintheTown added 14:06 - Aug 24 Seems a great loan deal, although a little disappointed with the option to buy not included. Welcome aboard the Tractor, Brandon. Enjoy the ride.
6

Northstandveteran added 14:07 - Aug 24 Great signing. Definitely an upgrade.
2

TractorfactorSteve added 14:11 - Aug 24 Having just watched the Farke prematch news conference, where all he could talk about was the ill discipline at Leeds it'll be interesting to see and hear the contrast when K Mc does his. I reckon this lad could be one more cog in promotion push #2.
4

Bazza8564 added 14:13 - Aug 24 This is a class signing, i like the fact that he is right footed, because it means he can provide cover for Clarke, Danacien and Burns as well as Leif. I wish Greg Leigh well, hes a super young lad and i'm sad to see him go, although i understand his desire for regular football
10

LegendofthePhoenix added 14:18 - Aug 24 But can he Lionel Richie piano solos?
2

BerksBlue15 added 14:26 - Aug 24 Do we know if there's an option to buy included? I assume he's a loan for the year with nothing further at this stage, on the basis he'll presumably be wanting at least half of his Man U salary to go anywhere else permanently. Even £30k+ per week to sign permanently feels like it might be a bit much for us, regardless how good he is!
1

BerksBlue15 added 14:27 - Aug 24 Also hopefully as impactful and well received as the last Williams we signed from the Premier League on loan. Still can't believe Joniesta is only 29 given how long ago we had him!
1

ArnieM added 14:45 - Aug 24 There might not be an option t9 buy, but I be5 he stays …just like George has.
2

Suffolkboy added 14:46 - Aug 24 Significant he actually mentions KM at MU ,and contact being maintained . Once more it highlights how much our Manager values human relations, standards and character . Let’s hope BW brings typical dedication and determination to PRd ,and proves the versatile adaptable player who gives another boost to ITFC ‘s Championship challenge . A big welcome ! COYB
6

John_Grose added 14:53 - Aug 24 Yay! Welcome aboard, looking forward to seeing what Brandon brings to the team. COYB
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