Former Narrandera footballer Zac Williams has sealed a six-year deal with his boyhood idols, the Carlton Blues.

The free agent sealed his move to his boyhood club on Friday night after eight seasons and 113 games for Greater Western Sydney.

Williams will add poise, toughness and dynamic play-making ability to a Carlton side looking to take the next step forward in 2021.

Selected by the Giants with pick No.55 in the 2012 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, Williams has played 113 games since making his debut in Round 5, 2013.

In 2019, a year which saw GWS as premiership contenders, Williams was No.1 at the Club for metres gained as he orchestrated their attack from the back half of the ground.

He was also the standout player for the Giants during the 2019  nals series, averaging 21 disposals, five tackles and four clearances, including a best afield performance from the midfield in the preliminary  nal win over Collingwood with 25 disposals, 10 clearances and one goal.

Blues Head of List Management Nick Austin said the decision by Williams to sign on was another significant step forward for the football club.

“Our club has been working hard to build an environment that not only our current players but other players want to be a part of,” Austin said.

“For Zac to decide that he wants to play the prime of his career in the Navy Blue guernsey is a sign we are starting to make significant progress in where we want to get to as a football club.

“Adding speed and versatility to our side, as well as depth across our mid eld, is a priority of ours as we look to implement the next stage of our list management strategy.

“We believe Zac, with his athleticism, ball-wining ability and capacity to break lines,  ts that mould perfectly.

“At home in defence and in the mid-field, we’re looking forward to seeing Zac bring his experience to Ikon Park and strengthen our playing group in 2021 and beyond.”

GWS received first-round compensation – currently pick 10 – as a result of Williams’ departure.

While his childhood support for Carlton clearly wasn’t the determining factor in his decision, his official arrival at the Blues left him “speechless”.

Currently in Albury and waiting for COVID-19 border restrictions to ease, Williams can’t wait to get stuck in: it’s clear he’s already a big fan of the Navy Blue he’ll be wearing.

“It’s still a surreal feeling that I’ll be playing for the Carlton Football Club,” Williams said.

“Even wearing the polo now, I feel like a fan — like I’ve gone down to Rebel Sport and bought the polo to watch the boys play on the weekend.

“Once I got the call from the guys saying I was officially with the Blues, I was actually speechless,” he said.