The central defender signed a permanent deal with the club at the end of the 2007/08 season following a successful loan spell from Stockport County. The loan move on March 27 followed a day after the 23-year-old made his full international debut for Wales in a friendly international in Luxembourg. The call-up came after Williams lifted the North West Player of the Year Award ahead of the likes of Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard. Since then he has gone on to captain the national side.
His senior career began at Hednesford Town after he was released by West Brom at the age of 16. But he was then allowed to join Stockport on a free transfer on New Year's Eve on 2003.
During his first full season with the Swans he was the only outfield player in the Coca-Cola Championship to play every minute of the 46 league matches.
He was crowned the Welsh Player of the Year and Club Player of the Year for 2009. He has also captained his country and was named in the PFA Championship team of the year in 2009-10.
Ash retained his place in the PFA team the following season after another outstanding campaign in the Championship which culminated with promotion.
A rock in the heart of the Swansea defence, he played every league game in three seasons before starting their first Premier League campaign as the club record holder for the most consecutive league appearances for an outfield player.
Williams signed a new three-year contract at the Liberty in the summer of 2011.
He enjoyed a hugely successful season in the top flight, the Wales centre-back proving a rock in the centre of defence. He also scored his first Premier League goal – and the club’s first on their travels – in a 4-1 defeat at Chelsea. Skipper's the side in the absence of club captain Garry Monk.
He has also made time to make a difference off the pitch by launching his own charity called WillsWorld which helps under-privileged children in the community.
http://www.willsworld.org.uk