Former Five Stripe Striker JJ Williams Earns Move From USL to Scotland

Former Atlanta United forward JJ Williams is headed to Scotland after rebuilding his career in the USL Championship.

Rhode Island FC transferred Williams to Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian on Tuesday for an undisclosed club-record fee. The Edinburgh Evening News reported that Hearts paid approximately $135,000. The 28-year-old signed a two-year contract with Hearts and will wear the No. 9 shirt, pending international clearance and Scottish FA approval.

Atlanta United supporters may recall JJ Williams was an emergency signing four months earlier after Josef Martínez tore the ACL in his right knee. JJ holds the dubious distinction of being the only player in Atlanta United history to receive a red card during his only first-team appearance. He entered against FC Cincinnati in the 83rd minute of an MLS is Back Tournament match and was sent off during second-half stoppage time.

Williams received one more opportunity within the organization, when he started for Atlanta United 2 and played the opening 45 minutes of a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union II. Atlanta later loaned him to Birmingham Legion for the remainder of the season, and the club declined his contract option in November.

JJ since rebuilt his career in the USL Championship. He spent the next six years moving through Birmingham, Tulsa, Phoenix, Tampa Bay and Rhode Island. Rhode Island signed him before its inaugural season in 2024. Williams leaves Rhode Island as its all-time leading scorer with 30 goals across all competitions. He also recorded 13 assists, five two-goal performances as well as two hat tricks.

Williams is the first Rhode Island player sold to a European club. He is also the second player the club has transferred to a top-division team during 2026.

The transfer fee represents an important piece of business for Rhode Island. Williams was reportedly approaching the end of his contract, leaving the USL Championship club with only a few months to sell him before potentially losing him without receiving a fee. In turn, they now have the largest transfer fee received for the club.

Why Hearts wanted Williams

USL Championship players are increasingly moving abroad, but those sales generally involve teenagers and players in their early 20s who offer development and resale potential. Hearts is acquiring Williams at 28 because of the player he has become.

At 6 feet 4 inches, Williams provides a target for direct passes and crosses. He can receive the ball with his back to goal, occupy opposing center backs and bring other attackers into play.

His aerial production stands out even among other physical center forwards. According to the USL Championship, Williams won 768 aerial duels across 200 league appearances, an average of 4.94 per 90 minutes. His total was the third-highest in the competition over that period.

Williams described himself as an aggressive player who enjoys duels during his introductory interview with Hearts. He also identified his physicality, hold-up play and ability to help teammates advance into attacking positions among the qualities he expects to bring to the team.

The club described Williams as a penalty-area threat who can also connect with teammates in the final third.

Hearts finished near the top of the Scottish Premiership last season and entered European qualifying this summer. Its domestic schedule includes regular matches against Celtic and Rangers, while its European campaign will expose Williams to a level he has never previously encountered.

Williams therefore does not arrive with a guaranteed starting position. Hearts also signed 6-foot-3 forward Amadou Ba-Sy during the summer, but Head Coach Wouter Vrancken has publicly challenged him to provide more. Pierre Landry Kaboré can play centrally but has also been used in wider positions.

He can start as a traditional center forward, enter when Hearts needs a more direct approach or partner with one of the club’s more mobile attackers. His aerial ability also gives Hearts another target on set pieces and an outlet when opponents prevent the team from progressing through midfield.

For Williams, the move provides an opportunity that seemed unlikely when his time with Atlanta ended after one appearance. His route did not take him directly from the MLS SuperDraft to Europe. It passed through the USL before Hearts called.

Now Williams must prove that the years he spent establishing himself in the USL Championship prepared him for Scotland.