Ronwen Williams is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and the top from Africa as well as his country South Africa.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since learning his trade at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur before spending 12 years at SuperSport United and took his career to world class level at Mamelodi Sundowns where he has been since July 2022.
It is at Sundowns where he has been lauded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers with his performances at the club and with Bafana Bafana earning him a Ballon d’Or nomination for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world.
Yashin Trophy: How to vote for Ronwen Williams
Williams is presently at the forefront of the voting for the Yashin Trophy as part of the Ballon d'Or awards.
Ahead of the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony scheduled for October 28, CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE for the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, the Yashin Trophy (Ronwen), the Kopa Trophy, the coach of the year of a men's team and of a women's team.
Williams made history by becoming the first player based in Africa to receive a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or Yashin Trophy.
This recognition follows his outstanding performances during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, as Bafana Bafana finished third.
His rivals for the award include; Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and Aston Villa, Diogo Costa of FC Porto and Portugal, Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain and Italy and Frenchman Mike Maignan, who plays for AC Milan.
Other nominees are Giorgi Mamardashvili from Georgia, who plays for Valencia but will join Liverpool in July 2025, Ukrainian Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid and Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund. With the Hollywoodbets app install, you can place an on-the-go bet on the next winner of the trophy.
What is Ronwem Williams salary?
Williams is believed to be among the highest earning players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after signing a new four-year contract at Sundowns in May, which will see him stay at Chloorkop until the end of the 2027-28 season.
His new contract included a significant pay rise that reportedly took his monthly salary to R500,000.
Ronwem Williams teams and career
The Gqeberha native started his career at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, before moving to SuperSport United as a youth player in 2004.
The goalkeeper made his senior team debut for Matsatsantsa in January 2012 in a CAF Champions League match against Matlama FC before his first league match against Free State Stars four months later, keeping clean sheets in both games.
He spent 10 years at SuperSport, making 351 appearances and winning six trophies (three Nedbank Cups, two MTN8 and one Telkom Knockout).
Williams signed for Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2022, becoming the club’s undisputed No.1, and has made 88 appearances for the Brazilians, where he has won two PSL titles (2022-23 and 2023-24) as well as the inaugural African Football League.
The goalkeeper made his international debut on March 5, 2014 in a friendly match against Brazil, coming in for the injured Itumeleng Khune and would go on to take over from the Kaizer Chiefs legend.
Williams was named Bafana Bafana captain in August 2021 and has now won 46 caps for the national team, becoming a key figure as South Africa won a bronze medal at AFCON 2023.
He was named goalkeeper of the tournament after his outstanding performances that included saving a record four penalties in a game against Cape Verde, and two against DR Congo as Hugo Broos’ men recorded their best ever performance at the tournament in 24 years.
Ronwen Williams transfer news
-In April 2024, Williams expressed his desire to play in Europe and test himself against some of the best in the world during an interview with CNN.
-A month later and after committing his future to Sundowns until 2028, Williams said his chances of moving to Europe had become slim, confirming that no concrete offers arrived after his sterling performance at AFCON, but left the door open in case a tantalizing bid comes through.
How old is Ronwen Williams?
Williams, who was born on January 21, 1992, is 32 years old.
Where is Ronwen Williams now?
Williams is now in his third season at Mamelodi Sundowns and started his campaign late owing to a shoulder injury that kept him out since July.
He made his long-awaited return in the PSL opener against his former club SuperSport on September 17, 2024, which Sundowns won 2-0, and he has been ever-present since.
