Championship outfit Reading have completed yet another signing this summer as they have roped in midfielder Dave Edwards from Wolves. The 31-year-old year has joined the club and has become Royal’s sixth signing this summer.
The fee hasn’t been disclosed but Reading are thought to have paid a sum in the range of £1m to land the player at the Madejski Stadium. The midfielder has put pen to paper on a two-year contract and is in contention to make his debut against Bristol City in the Championship.
The Royals made a mixed start to their Championship season and gaffer Jaap Stam will be hoping that the midfielder will bring his plethora of experience to the game to help his side in their promotional battle. Reading fell short in the last season as they lost in the Playoff final to Huddersfield Town.
Reading boss Stam welcomed the player with open handed and emphasised his importance on the squad. “He’s a great player, he’s got a lot of experience, tactically he’s strong, he has enormous stamina as well…and going forward he has goal scoring ability as well.” The 31-year-old midfielder has put an end to his nine-year spell at the Molineux in which he racked up more than 300 appearances for the club and went on to score 44 goals for them.
Basically an attacking midfielder, the Wales international can also be utilised on either wing. He has started just two games and that too in the League Cup this season but Stam is expected to use him heavily in his side.
Edwards was a crucial part of Wolves’ side that won promotion in the 2008/09 season. He played an integral part in their topsy and turvy journey in the English top tier. Wolves eventually got demoted to the second tier after spending three years in the Premier League.
He has also been a crucial member of the Wales side and played a role in the fairytale journey in the European Championship last year. He has been handed the no.16 jersey and is set to join the club after the international break.
Edwards’ days became numbered following a number of new arrivals this summer and he did the right thing by choosing to quit the club. He still is in good shape and can play at his best for a couple of years easily. It remains to be seen how Stam prefers to use him this season.
