Wigan Athletic star 'turned down overseas interest'

Joe Williams has revealed for the first time he turned down interest from abroad before joining Wigan Athletic from Everton last summer.
Joe WilliamsJoe Williams
Joe Williams

Latics swooped for the midfielder, who turned 23 in Decenber, for a fee in excess of seven figures.

Williams had spent the previous two campaigns on loan with Barnsley and then Bolton, and he says the desire for a third season in the Championship with Latics led him to turn down some attractive options.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There were a few clubs in for me, including a few from abroad – which did interest me a little bit,” he admitted.

“But I ended up starting pre-season at Everton and doing well there, and at the time I didn’t know if I’d be staying or going.

“In the end I decided I wanted to stay close to home, play first-team football, and spend another season in the Championship – because that’s where I felt I would learn most.

“It’s so fast-paced, and every season I feel I’ve improved a little bit more. learning more about different aspects of my game.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Williams has been one of Latics’ most consistent performers this term, in the engine room alongside skipper Sam Morsy.

However, he had to overcome a sticky introduction to the side, which saw him sent off for two yellow cards inside the first 20 minutes of his full league debut against Leeds last August.

“It wasn’t a great start for me,” he added. “I was probably pumped up a little bit too much for the Leeds game, and I went in for a couple of tackles I shouldn’t have.

“I think that’s probably helped me in the long run. I’ve always played on the edge, and it’s made me stick to the right side of the line.”