Rhys Williams to leave Middlesbrough, join Perth Glory

Middlesbrough have confirmed that defender Rhys Williams will leave the club at the end of the season to return to his native Australia.

The 27-year-old has signed a pre-contract with Perth Glory and will move to the A-League side when his Boro deal expires this summer.

"If I had everything my way I probably wouldn't be going home this early because I had dreams of getting Middlesbrough promoted and playing in the Premier League," Williams told the club website.

"But for me personally I knew that I needed to get home to kickstart my career again. With the manager there, the lifestyle and my family around me that's going to help me play my best football.

"This is my home, really. I've had all of my adult life here. I've met some great friends and gone through some great managers."

Williams, who first joined Boro as a teenager, has not started a Championship match for Boro the last two seasons due to serious injuries.