Reggae Boy Romario Williams joins Hartford Athletic ahead of USL Championship season

Hartford Athletic has continued to strengthen its squad with the signing of Jamaican international striker Romario Williams, who previously played for Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

The announcement comes shortly after the team acquired Deshane Beckford from the same Western United States franchise.

Pending approval from the league and federation, Williams will join Hartford Athletic for the upcoming United Soccer League (USL) Championship season. The 29-year-old striker, a native of Portmore, Jamaica, had a highly productive season with the Switchbacks in the previous term, scoring an impressive 15 goals in 30 appearances, which marked a career-best for him.

He also contributed three assists, created 23 chances, and registered 45 shots, ranking second in these categories, only behind his fellow countryman Beckford.

Stints in Egypt, Kuwait, and Major League Soccer

With his vast knowledge and experience, including stints in Egypt, Kuwait, and Major League Soccer (MLS), Williams brings a valuable addition to the Hartford Athletic squad. Throughout his career, he has scored 56 goals in 123 regular-season matches, boasting a remarkable strike rate of one goal every 140.5 minutes, ranking him third in USL history.

Hartford Athletic, which faced challenges in the previous season and finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only four wins in 34 games, will look to benefit from Williams' scoring prowess. Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks advanced to the conference quarter-finals before exiting the competition against San Antonio FC.

Williams joined the Switchbacks just a year ago after spending one season with New Mexico United. The upcoming USL Championship season is set to kick off on March 9, and Williams' addition is expected to bolster Hartford Athletic's campaign.