Perth Glory have pulled off a big signing coup, bringing Socceroo Ryan Williams home from England on a three-year A-League deal.

Glory negotiated an undisclosed transfer deal with League One side Oxford United where Williams was still under contract.

Williams, 28, has spent 11 years in England, making almost 250 Championship, League One and League Two appearances for clubs including Fulham, Portsmouth, Barnsley, Rotherham United and Oxford.

The attacking midfielder is the third member of his family to play for their hometown club, following in the footsteps of older brother Rhys and twin brother Aryn.

“It means a lot to me to be able to play for Perth as I grew up watching them and followed them throughout my career. It’s going to be special,” Williams said.

“My family have never been able to come and watch me play every week so that’s another thing I’m excited about.”

He said the overseas experience of coach Ruben Zadkovich, assistant Joe Gallen and retired player and now recruitment manager Andy Keogh helped sway his decision.

“I trust in what they want to do, which is to push up this league and make the club hard to beat,” Williams said.

“That mentality is definitely something I can help with due to my experience in the UK.

“Ruben is a really exciting manager who is young and hungry and has the desire and the ideas.

“It’s about implementing those, which is something hopefully I can help him do and we can push the club forward.”

Zadkovich said Williams was a key signing.

“He’s a top professional and a top character who is versatile, very dynamic and extremely energetic in all aspects of his game,” he said.

“Ryan possesses the innate ability to combine with those around him, has very good awareness and is very positive.

“His character references are very strong.

“He comes to us highly regarded and his focus and ambition really align with myself and the club.

“He has the potential to make a solid impact on this league, but more importantly a big impact on our club’s success.”

Keogh said Williams was a “fantastic” signing.

“With his experience and quality, and the age that he’s at, he’ll be valuable for us going forward,” Keogh said.

“He fits the profile of what we are looking and is a big asset.”

Williams played his junior football for ECU Joondalup and in 2010 moved to Portsmouth.

After two years at Fratton Park he moved to Fulham and was on loan to Gillingham, Barnsley and Oxford.

He spent more time with Barnsley and then Rotherham where he won the 2018 League One play-off final at Wembley.

He returned to Wembley last year, starting for Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy final having re-joined them three years ago before his final move back to Oxford.