'Gutted' Joe Williams leaves Wigan Athletic on the best of terms

The 23-year-old on Thursday morning became the latest player out of the door at Euxton, with Bristol City winning the race for his signature.

Until a couple of months ago it looked as though Williams' maiden year at Wigan would end in the relative success of mid-table security, before the shocking sequence of events that saw Latics placed into administration and relegated to League One following a 12-point deduction.

But having been part of the 'Band of Brothers' that took the survival fight right to the final day, Williams says he'll look back on his time at the DW with pride.

"Thank you everyone involved with @laticsofficial for the time I was there," he tweeted.

"Gutted it ended the way it did, but what a club and a group of lads we had.

"Thank you to all the Wigan fans who have been unbelievable through everything.

"I wish you all the best in the future."

Williams also admitted his aim is now to fire City into the top flight, with the club having just missed the play-offs last term.

He also revealed he's been waiting to complete the move from the north west to the south west for some time.

"It's been a long time coming," he added. "I wanted it to happen quicker, sooner than the window, but finally I'm here now now and I'm buzzing to get going.

"I'm delighted to be here and hopefully we can give it a good go next year now. The aim is to get to the Premier League.

"There's only one place where it wants to be, that's the Premier League.

"So when you're looking at the team you're going to be signing for you want that ambition and you want the same ambition as you've got yourself.

"I've heard so many positive things about it and it's just where the club are heading, in the right direction and I'm really looking forward to it."