FORMER Athletic goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams is heading Stateside after agreeing a move to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.

The Welsh international cap, 35, has been hired as the USL (United Soccer League) League One club's new goalkeeping coach, where he will link-up with their head coach, Éamon Zayed, a former team-mate at Crewe Alexandra.

A popular figure during his time with the Pars, Fon Williams departed East End in late February after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, with club citing family reasons for his exit.

Having initially joined on loan from Hamilton Academical in January 2020, Fon Williams agreed a permanent move to Dunfermline that summer, signing a two-year contract as player/coach.

Speaking to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC's website, he said: "I’m made up to have this opportunity by coming over to Colorado and join the Hailstorm.

"A brand new team, it’s a blank canvas, and opportunity for us all to embrace and help build this football club along with everyone here in Northern Colorado to what we want it to look like.

"I’m very grateful of the opportunity given by Éamon to come here and share my experience with the team. Between Éamon and Kevin (Sawchak, assistant head coach) they’ve built a fantastic squad of players that’s really going to compete and give it their all this season.

"It’s a season of football everyone in Northern Colorado can be excited about."

Following his exit from the club, Pars manager John Hughes said "there was a lump in my throat" when he announced Fon Williams' departure to the squad, and that he "can’t speak highly enough" of him.

During his time as a Pars player, he made 62 appearances, and raised £3,000 for the club off the pitch courtesy of a painting he created and had auctioned off to help the 'Support the Pars' fundraising campaign during lockdown two years ago.

Capped by his national side in a friendly with the Netherlands in 2015, Fon Williams was part of the Welsh squad at Euro 2016, who memorably reached the semi-finals, losing out to eventual winners Portugal.

Some of his previous clubs include Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers, as well as a loan spell with USL club Indy Eleven in 2018.

Zayed added: "Owain is one of my best signings. I’ve known Owain since we played and lived together years ago with Crewe Alexandra in the English Championship. His experience is up there with any coach in the whole of America.

"His knowledge of the game will not only help our goalkeepers develop, but also the whole squad and coaching staff."

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC were formed last year, and 2022 is the team's inaugural season.