NEW signing George Williams believes competing at the World University Games will hold him in good stead for his move to Worcester City.

The 20-year-old full-back, who can also play in the holding midfield role, has signed for Carl Heeley’s team after impressing with Loughborough University in the Midland Alliance.

He is representing Great Britain at the student showpiece in Kazan, Russia, and hopes to emulate the silver medal achieved by the team in China in 2011.

Williams will link up with the City squad after the Games, which end on Wednesday, July 17, and is relishing the prospect. He said: “It’s been a busy few days but I am delighted to be playing for Worcester next season. I have heard a lot of good things about the club. It’s definitely a team on the up and I can’t wait to get started.

“The trip to Russia will allow me to train regularly and get my match sharpness up before I join my new team-mates following my return.”

Former Milton Keynes Dons player Williams, who has also represented England at university level, captained Loughborough to the Midland Alliance League Cup and British Universities and Colleges Sport Championship earlier this year.

“It’s been an incredible few months,” he said. “I joined Loughborough from MK Dons to study for a degree while still playing at a high level of football. So it’s great to get the call-up.

“I am really looking forward to the trip. It’s an honour to represent your country at any level and this will be a great experience for me.

“The side that represented GB in China two years ago achieved a silver medal and we will be aiming to go one step further.”

Williams is the second City player to be selected by GB following reigning player-of-the-year Tom Thorley’s involvement in Shenzhen.

Defender Shabir Khan also has also been capped by Pakistan.

City’s academy, in conjunction with Worcester College of Technology, are holding open trials at Little Perdiswell on Tuesday from 9.15am until 2.30pm.

Run by former City striker Mark Owen, they offer the opportunity to play football while studying for further or higher education courses. Anyone aged 16 to 19 can attend on the day.

Nine members of the City academy joined Heeley’s squad for pre-season training this week.