Hull City have offered a lifeline to ex-Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams, who featured as a substitute during their 2-1 victory over Sunderland in a pre-season match on Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old defender entered the pitch in the 77th minute as the Championship club defeated their top-flight opponents at their training ground.
Williams has been searching for a new club for over 12 months following his departure from Old Trafford in 2024.
During his five-year stint with the Red Devils, he accumulated 51 senior appearances and had temporary spells with Norwich City and Ipswich Town.
The trial opportunity represents a potential fresh start for the player after a challenging period away from professional football.
The left-back's return to football comes after serious legal issues that resulted in criminal charges earlier this year. In May, a court handed Williams a 14-month custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months, following his conviction for dangerous driving.
Hull City have offered a lifeline to ex-Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams, who featured as a substitute during their 2-1 victory over Sunderland in a pre-season match on Tuesday evening
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Williams had been caught travelling at speeds reaching 99 miles per hour whilst driving without valid insurance cover.
As part of his sentence, he must complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Brandon Williams featured in a pre-season friendly for Hull on Tuesday night
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Williams has been remarkably open about the psychological toll of his time away from the sport. He admitted: "At that point I did [fall out of love with football], at that point it was just getting too much for me."
The defender described experiencing significant personal difficulties, stating: "It was problems with friends, friends going behind my back - stabbing me in my back."
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His struggles extended to family relationships, with Williams acknowledging he had been "ignoring my family, I wasn't really speaking to them. They were really worried about me, my friends were as well to be fair. They could see it. It wasn't right."
The defender revealed that during his absence from the game, he isolated himself in his flat and avoided physical activity. He confessed to finding it difficult to even view matches during this challenging phase.
His close associates from his United days, including Angel Gomes, James Garner and D'Mani Mellor, expressed concern about his wellbeing.
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Brandon Williams made 51 appearances during his spell at Manchester United
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Williams said: "Because I wasn't training, I was staying in my apartment, I wasn't moving, wasn't coming out."
The player characterised this period as experiencing "dark" moments following his exit from Manchester United.
His trial with the Tigers could signal the beginning of his rehabilitation into professional football after more than a year without a club.