Romario Garfield Williams (born 15 August 1994 in Portmore, Jamaica) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a forward for USL Championship club Indy Eleven and the Jamaica national team. Named after the legendary Brazilian footballer Romário, Williams has had a dynamic career across various leagues and countries.

Club Career

• Early Career: Williams began his football journey at Kingston College in Jamaica before moving to the United States to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF). During his tenure with the UCF Knights from 2012 to 2014, he made 51 appearances, scoring 18 goals. His impressive performance earned him the title of American Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2013.

• Professional Debut: In the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Williams was selected third overall by Montreal Impact. He made his professional debut on 28 March 2015 in a match against Orlando City SC.

• Loan Spells: To gain more first-team experience, Williams had loan stints with FC Montreal in 2015 and Charleston Battery in 2016. His time with Charleston was particularly noteworthy, as he netted 10 goals in 27 appearances.

• Atlanta United: In December 2016, Williams was acquired by Atlanta United FC. During the 2017 season, he was loaned back to Charleston Battery, where he showcased his scoring prowess with 15 goals in 22 appearances. Returning to Atlanta in 2018, he made 17 MLS appearances and scored his first league goal on 7 April 2018 in a 5–0 victory over Los Angeles FC.

• Subsequent Moves: Williams’s career saw him moving across various clubs and countries:

  • Columbus Crew SC: Joined in July 2019, making seven appearances and scoring once.
  • Miami FC: Signed in January 2020, where he tallied eight goals in 16 matches.
  • Al-Ittihad Alexandria Club: Moved to the Egyptian Premier League in December 2020, scoring five goals in 23 appearances.
  • Qadsia SC: Transferred to the Kuwaiti Premier League in August 2021, netting three goals in 10 matches.
  • New Mexico United: Joined in July 2022, with one goal in 10 appearances.
  • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Signed in January 2023, impressively scoring 15 goals in 30 appearances.
  • Hartford Athletic: In January 2024, Williams continued his USL Championship journey with Hartford Athletic, making 11 appearances and scoring twice.
  • Indy Eleven: In June 2024, he was traded to Indy Eleven, where he continues to play, contributing two goals in 18 appearances as of November 2024.

International Career

Williams has been a consistent figure in Jamaica’s national teams:

• Youth Level: Represented Jamaica at the U-17 level, participating in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
• Senior Team: Made his senior debut on 13 November 2016 in a Caribbean Cup qualifying match against Suriname. As of November 2024, he has earned 24 caps and scored four goals for the national team. Notably, he was part of the squad that finished as runners-up in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and secured a bronze medal in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League.

Personal Life

Williams’s namesake is a tribute to Brazilian football legend Romário, who won the 1994 FIFA World Cup shortly before Williams’s birth. In February 2018, he obtained a U.S. green card, granting him domestic player status for MLS roster considerations.

Throughout his career, Williams has demonstrated adaptability and resilience, making significant contributions to both club and country across various leagues and competitions.