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Dylan James

Emotional Wales international says goodbye in classy video ahead of move

Cardiff Rugby stalwart Lloyd Williams has said an emotional farewell to his hometown club.

The Wales international was one of the 16 first team squad members to leave Cardiff at the end of this season, following a turbulent few months in the Welsh game.

Deep financial cuts for the regions have massively impacted their ability to keep their stars for the upcoming season, with a number of top players heading for the exit door as a result.

Williams, who is expected to join Ealing in the English Championship, said: "With things drawing to a close, it has been on my mind a lot more. In the last week or so it's been quite emotional saying goodbye to that group of players that I have played with this year."

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"But, looking back on my time here at Cardiff, it will be looking back with fond memories.

"It was a really tough decision. I have been at the club for some time now, and it felt like, at this stage in my career, it was the right time, and the right move."

At Cardiff's end of season awards, Williams was presented with the Peter Thomas Player Of The Season award, which was chosen by Peter himself in his final days.

"I can't thank everyone enough for the opportunity the club has given me. Doors have opened for me in my life, and the experiences I've had. I am incredibly grateful," he added.

"I'm really proud of them, when I look at the jerseys, it reminds me of the seasons and the squads we had at the time and the great times we had really."

You can watch 'The Final Interview' with Williams below.

The 33-year-old has notched up over 250 appearances for Cardiff, and bagged 42 tries in the process. He broke Taufa’ao Filise’s Cardiff appearance record back in February, where he pulled on the blue and black colours for the 256th time against Benetton.

Williams has vivid memories of Cardiff's 2018 Challenge Cup final victory against Gloucester in Bilbao.

"Looking back at Bilbao, that was great. It was something I really, vividly remember. The milestones, they were great days, and great nights as well, after, I remember them just as much as the games. I consider myself very lucky.

"The supporters are a great bunch of people, and I'll miss that at the Cardiff Arms Park. It's the little things, like having my family here. Each of those games, talking to them on the field on the barrier, it's the little things like that I'll miss about Cardiff Arms Park as well as the actual games.

"I genuinely feel that the Cardiff fans get us results, which I don't think people can say for a lot of supporters. But, I can say that confidently for Cardiff.

"I was a fan of Cardiff way before getting to play rugby. So playing out there, at the Arms Park, it was a dream of mine when I was younger. So to be able to have done it, I consider myself fortunate and I'm really proud of the fact that I did that.

"It's something that I will always look back on with a huge amount of gratitude. I will always enjoy coming back here to support Cardiff, because they are my team and they always will be."

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