Rovers defender Derrick Williams is set to sign for LA Galaxy, ending his four-and-a-half year association with the club. 

The Rovers defender is understood to be in Los Angeles and is set to sign a deal with the MLS side in the coming days.

Williams is still injured, having undergone surgery at the end of 2020, and has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming fixtures, and is expected to miss the start of the 2021 MLS season which begins on April 17.

The 28-year-old has courted interest from LA Galaxy and fellow MLS side DC United within the last year, while Championship side Swansea City also looked at Williams in the summer.

He remained at Rovers and enjoyed an excellent start to the season alongside Darragh Lenihan before two separate injuries disrupted his season, his last appearance coming in the defeat to Norwich City in December.

Williams, who signed for Rovers from Bristol City in 2016 and was named player of the year in his first season, will leave having made 152 appearances.

Injuries haven't been kind to Williams in recent seasons, managing 20 outings last season, again starting the season in excellent form alongside Lenihan who he formed a good understanding with, but restricted to 11 appearances because of injury.

His first two seasons at the club saw him used almost exclusively at left back, and he played all but one game in the League One promotion campaign.

He began to be used more as a central defender by Tony Mowbray in the last two seasons, and has also earned international honours with the Republic of Ireland.