Ryan Edwards (English footballer)

Blackburn Rovers

Born in Liverpool, Edwards started a two-year scholarship with Blackburn Rovers in 2010. He was captain of the Blackburn squad that reached the final of the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup. Following this in May 2012, Edwards signed his first professional contract on a two-year deal.

Despite being determined to make a breakthrough under the management of Gary Bowyer, Edwards was among sixteen players to be released by the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Loan moves

On 2 July 2012, Edwards joined League Two side Rochdale on a six-month loan. Edwards made his Rochdale debut in the first round of the League Cup, in a 4–3 loss against Barnsley. and then also made his league debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 0–0 draw against Northampton Town. Having made twenty-six league appearances for Rochdale, Edwards returned to his parent club after the club's management decided not to extend his loan spell.

Following his time at Rochdale, Edwards had been linked to sign on loan for the second half of the season. On 21 February 2013, Edwards joined Fleetwood Town on a one-month loan. Edwards made his debut for the club two days later, in a 2–0 loss against Aldershot Town. After making four appearance for the club so far, Edwards loan spell with Fleetwood Town was extended until the end of the season. Edward went on to make nine appearance for the club before returning to Blackburn Rovers.

On 24 July 2013, Edwards joined Chesterfield on a one-month loan deal. Upon the move, the club's first-team coach Keith Lynch believed Edwards could be a "good asset". Edwards made his debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, making his first start, in a 2–0 win over Bury. His impressive display throughout the pre-season and at the start of the season led Chesterfield extending Edwards' loan spell for two months. Edwards featured less in the first team and then on 24 October 2013, Edwards returned to Blackburn Rovers.

On 28 November 2013, Edwards joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until 29 December 2013. However, Edwards made his only appearance for the club. coming from the second round of the FA Cup, in a 5–0 heavy defeat to Peterborough United. After his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers came to an end, Manager Ronnie Moore explained his decision not including Edwards, stating: "It is not ideal for a young kid to be coming into the side with the way we are playing at the moment."

Morecambe

On 21 March 2014, Edwards joined League Two side Morecambe on a one-month youth loan. The next day, Edwards made his Morecambe debut for the club as a centre-back, in a 1–1 draw against Northampton Town. His seven appearance for the club led on 24 April 2014, Edwards extended his loan stay with the "Shrimps" until the end of the 2013–14 season. Edwards went on to make nine appearance for the club.

After a successful loan spell at the Globe Arena towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Edwards signed on a two-year deal after being released by Blackburn Rovers on 19 May 2014. However at the start of the season, Edwards fractured his fingers in a friendly match that kept him out for two months. Throughout August, Edwards started to maintain his fitness after surgery. Edwards' first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis, as well as coming from injury, came in a 0–0 draw against Cheltenham Town on 6 September 2014. Edwards continued to be in the first team, although he spend six games on the substitution bench. Edwards was then sent-off on 7 March 2015, in a 3–2 win over Luton Town. After making his return against Shrewsbury Town on 17 March 2015, Edwards then provided an assist for Kevin Ellison in a 1–1 draw against Accrington Stanley on 3 April 2015. Edwards ended his first full season at Morecambe with thirty-one appearances after suffering a back injury that ruled him out for the entire season. Edwards scored his first career goal in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth on 16 August 2016.

Plymouth Argyle

On 13 June 2017, Plymouth Argyle announced Edwards as their third signing of the summer, from Morecambe.