Wales full-back Liam Williams has left Japanese side Kubota Spears ahead of an expected move back to the UK.
The 33-year-old joined Kubota from Cardiff in the summer of 2023 and played seven games for the side last season.
Williams has previously spent time at Scarlets, Saracens and Cardiff and has 92 caps for the Welsh national team, and also played in four British and Irish Lions Tests on their last two tours to New Zealand and South Africa.
“The decision to leave hasn’t been an easy one, but my wife and I are thrilled to be welcoming our first child soon,” Williams told the Kubota website, external.
“I feel it’s important for me to be back home with my family during this special time, I would like to thank [Kubota head coach] Frans (Ludeke) and the coaches for being extremely understanding with regard to my family situation and allowing me to return to the UK.
“Your support, passion and dedication to the game have been truly inspiring, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been welcomed into such a special group.”
Williams has been linked with a return to Saracens, where he won a Premiership title and European Champions Cup during a productive previous spell from 2017 to 2019.
His return to the UK is also good news for Wales, with Williams now likely to be available for their 2025 Six Nations campaign.
