Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm the arrival of Wales international Jonny Williams on a permanent deal from Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on a six-month contract at The Valley and becomes Lee Bowyer’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Kent-born Williams came through the ranks at Palace and made 70 senior appearances at Selhurst Park, as well as taking in loan spells at Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Milton Keynes Dons and, most recently, Sunderland.
Speaking of the latest addition to his promotion-chasing squad, Addicks boss Bowyer said: “He’s a very good player. He’s good in possession, he’s clever, he works hard and he’s everything that I want from a midfield player. He can play in different positions, so he’s versatile as well.
"The end product, something we need to improve on in the final third, he has that. He has the cleverness to see those little passes, so I’m very, very happy."
Williams, who has racked up 135 first-team appearances during his career so far, has 17 caps for Wales under his belt, including four appearances during their memorable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Speaking shortly after officially becoming an Addick on Thursday evening, he said: “I came to the [Walsall] game the other day and I thought the boys did really well. They are a good, talented bunch of players. I’m hopeful to add to that and I’m excited to work with them and hopefully get the club back into the Championship, which is the main aim.”
Williams will train with his new teammates for the first time on Friday morning and will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s visit of Sunderland to The Valley.
Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen said: "When I spoke to Lee about Jonny five or six weeks ago, I could see straight away he was interested. We then went over and watched an U23s game there about three or four weeks ago, which was actually against us, and straight away he said to me ‘Is that him?’. He played really, really well in that game. Bright, clever, energetic, sharp. When we realised that Jamie Ward was going to go back, we started planning who his replacement could be and Jonny fits that bill."
Full interviews with Williams, Bowyer and Gallen will be available to watch on Valley Pass on Friday afternoon. Valley Pass costs just £6.50 a month and you can sign-up here.
The Addicks face Sunderland at The Valley on Saturday at 3pm and you can get your tickets here.