Newcastle are no laughing matter any more. Recently bought out and renamed by the Red Bull brand, the English club – who came close to liquidation after catastrophic results – are opening a new chapter in their history and no longer intend to play bit parts. On Monday, the club founded in 1877 announced the signing of the excellent Wales full-back Liam Williams (34, 93 caps), for one season. The player was without a club after leaving Saracens.

“It is a chance to have a new experience and I cannot wait to get started, I am eager to get going“, says the delighted Wales wing or full-back. Seriously injured in a knee, Williams has not played since 31 January and the heavy defeat to France in the Six Nations (43-0). A former Scarlets and Cardiff man who has also played in Japan, the full-back is set to give his career fresh momentum.

Exciting transfer window

Liam Williams also joins a squad strengthened by the arrivals of several established players. Newcastle Red Bulls had announced several new signings a few weeks earlier, such as the New Zealand serial jackaller Tom Christie (Crusaders), the lightning-quick England wing Christian Wade, formerly of Racing 92, and the South African fly-half/full-back Boeta Chamberlain (Blue Bulls). Williams at Red Bull, that could hurt!