When Wasiri Williams arrived in Daugavpils earlier this year, he knew next to nothing about Latvian football. The 25-year-old Londoner had already experienced life in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, but the move east marked the boldest step yet in his unconventional career. In the latest episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, we spoke to Williams about his journey.
“It just came about through conversations with managers and agents,” he explains. “I came to Daugavpils for a week to see what it was like, enjoyed it, and decided to sign.”
Since then, the English defender has established himself as a key figure in the Daugavpils backline. His resilience and athleticism have helped steady a side that, despite turbulence and player departures, continues to fight for European qualification.
Life in Latvia’s Virslīga has been a sharp learning curve. “It took me about a month to get used to the rhythm,” Williams says. “You play every four days. Training’s short, recovery’s key, and then straight onto the next game. I’ve never actually completed a full season before, so this has been great for my fitness and consistency.”
Off the pitch, adapting to Daugavpils—a city of around 80,000, far from the bustle of London—has been another challenge. “For the second largest city, you don’t see that many people,” he laughs. “You see the same faces every day. I’ve even taken up fishing. But the main challenge has been cultural—coming from London’s diversity to somewhere less exposed to different backgrounds. Some people can be sceptical, even rude. I think it comes down to a lack of education. But if people were more open, they’d attract more players, tourists, and students here.”
On the pitch, Williams has relished battles with some of the league’s standout forwards. “Against Riga’s strikers—Ramires, Regža—we always have good battles. And then there’s Pūlis at Tukums. He’s not someone I worry about one-on-one, but somehow he always finds a goal. You look back and think, fair enough, he’s done it again.”
The defender is quick to praise his own teammates for adapting after losing key players to transfers abroad. “We didn’t overthink it. We just trained hard and carried on. Football teaches you to adapt—whether it’s mistakes, form, or losing teammates.”
Williams has also been struck by the league’s technical level compared to his previous stops. “In England, Wales, and Ireland, you get a lot of athletes—fast, strong guys who can play multiple positions. Here it’s less physical but more technical, with plenty of foreign players adding flair. You actually get more time on the ball, which can be a blessing or a trap.”
European competition provided another lesson. “We weren’t as experienced as the other teams. Sometimes we changed too much from our league style. You can adapt, but don’t lose your identity. If you play your way, it can still work.”
With his contract up in November, Williams is keeping options open. “The goal is to help Daugavpils into Europe qualifications. After that, it’s either a bigger club here in Latvia or back home to work my way again.”
For now, though, he’s enjoying a rare sense of stability—and plenty of football. “Every three or four days, another game. That’s what every player wants. Just keep learning, keep improving.”
