BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Friday it had acquired forward JJ Williams on loan from Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC. Williams will be available for Saturday’s game against Saint Louis FC and for future matches to be determined on a game by game basis.

“We are excited to have JJ Williams available for Saturday’s match” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “This is an opportunity for us to get an MLS player from Alabama into our team for this match and potentially more games throughout the rest of the season.”

Williams was selected by Crew SC in the First Round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on January 11, 2019. Before joining the Black & Gold, the 21-year-old played three seasons (2016-2018) at the University of Kentucky, making 57 appearances (30 starts), scoring 24 goals and providing 15 assists. He was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, a First-Team All-American, and the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2018.

Williams grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, spent his club career playing in Birmingham for Vestavia FC and was the 2016 Alabama High School Player of the Year playing at Alabama Christian Academy. He played in USL League Two for the local Birmingham Hammers, as well as Reading United AC and the Dayton Dutch Lions.