The experienced French defender joined us on a one-year contract in August, 2010 and was widely-regarded by pundits as one of the transfers of the season. William arrived in N17 with nearly a decade of Premier League and Champions League experience under his belt having previously plied his trade for Chelsea and Arsenal.
He crossed the North London divide having left the Emirates on the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2009-10 season.
After regaining his fitness, William made his Spurs debut in our 1-1 draw at West Brom in September 2010.
And although initial injury problems held him back, by November, 2010, he was captaining a side performing well both at home and in the Champions League.
Most notably, his first game wearing the armband came at the Emirates against former club Arsenal in a North London derby that saw us pick up a first away victory over the Gunners in 17 years.In March 2011, William signed a two-year extension on his contract, keeping him at the Club until 2013.
He ended the 2010-11 campaign with 36 appearances in all competitions.
William made 142 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 17 goals, following his arrival from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2006.
It was at Chelsea where the now 33-year-old experienced greatest success, winning back-to-back Premier League titles and a League Cup in his five seasons with the Blues.
William originally arrived on these shores in the summer of 2001 having spent four campaigns with Olympique Marseille in his homeland.
He started his professional career at SM Caen, making his debut in the 1995-96 season and subsequently helping the club to the French Second Division Championship by the end of that year.
To date, William has won 84 senior international caps for France, representing Les Bleus at two World Cups and two European Championships, and was also part of the side that won the Confederations Cup in 2003.
He previously earned international honours at Under-21, Under-20 and Under-18 level, and was part of the French side that won the UEFA Under-18 Championships in 1996.
