Town have signed free agent forward Kyle Edwards following his release by West Brom.

The 23-year-old, who plays primarily down the left but can operate centrally or on the right, has signed a three-year deal with the club having an option for a further season.

“I'm really excited to be here," Edwards told the club website. “I'm at a point in my career where I need to be playing consistently. I want to show people what I can do and I think this is a great place for that.

“I can feel the buzz around the club and the aims for the season. The project here really drew me in and I want to be a part of it.”

Town boss Paul Cook added: “We've wanted to sign Kyle for a long time. He's the exact type of player that we want at Portman Road. He's very exciting and our fans will love watching him play.”

Blues CEO Mark Ashton said: “Kyle is a player that we have pursued all summer and we have beaten a number of Championship clubs to his signature.

“I'm delighted to have finally got our man. I'm sure he will be a great addition to the squad.”

Edwards, who signed for the Blues after midday so not in time to face Newport County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, joined West Brom aged six and made his senior debut at the start of 2018/19 having spent the previous campaign on loan at Exeter.

In total, Dudley-born Edwards made 21 senior starts for the Baggies and 28 sub appearances, scoring four times.

Capped by England at U16, U17 and U20 levels, 5ft 8in tall Edwards was released this summer and was recently on trial at AFC Bournemouth having previously spent time with Reading. Celtic were also understood to be keen.

Away from football, Edwards released a rap track entitled Promotion Ting to celebrate West Brom's 2020 promotion to the Premier League which amassed more than 100,000 views on YouTube.

Edwards adds to the West Brom connections at Portman Road with his Baggies team-mate Rekeem Harper having signed earlier in the summer, chairman Mike O'Leary a former chief executive at the Hawthorns and Blues CEO Mark Ashton having been a youth goalkeeper, coach and director with the Black Country club.

Photo: ITFC

Towny_in_Taipei added 13:39 - Aug 9 Edwards, Barry, Fraser, Chaplin, Aluko, Burns, Dobra, Pigott, Bonne and Norwood. Safe to say we have enough options going forward and that's one impressive lineup for Div1. DEFENCE PLEASE!
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barrystedmunds added 13:40 - Aug 9 I can only assume the mantra is going to be “ We'll score one more than yous” because our obvious deficiencies are at the back!!!
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Nobbysnuts added 13:42 - Aug 9 No excuses now Mr Cook....we should destroy this league.
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Gforce added 13:44 - Aug 9 Dab......Good link,hope it's true !
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 13:44 - Aug 9 Think Harper might have encouraged the move
2

fergalsharkey added 13:45 - Aug 9 wow. Am i dreaming here?
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:51 - Aug 9 looks like a real livewire, looks like it will be charge of the Light Brigade ! hope someone will stay back at the fort to guard the gate . lol
6

chepstowblue added 13:53 - Aug 9 Some of our new signings will be leaving soon, as we now have cover for the cover for the cover of the first choice player......but please prove to me that you know what you're doing by purchasing a centre half.
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Pencilpete added 13:53 - Aug 9 This is exactly the kind of player we should be going for - young, good pedigree, point to prove and if we are playing 4-2-3-1 will be another of the '3' to keep the likes of Chaplin, Fraser ETC on their toes and will also be a great impact sub if, like on saturday we are in a position where we need a goal
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ringwoodblue added 13:54 - Aug 9 Welcome Kyle! Hopefully you will be more like Carlos than Gwion.
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KernewekBlue added 14:04 - Aug 9 Looks good. Quick feet, looks to take on the defenders, an eye for a pass and a decent shot on him too. At just 23, a great age to come in with some hunger and progress with our new, younger squad into a formidable outfit that will cause every other team in the division a few problems. We're finally seeing, after years in the bargain basement stores, what a bit of real ambition and some transfer cash can do. Welcome Kyle... give 'em hell son! COYB

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bluesheds added 14:06 - Aug 9 Another great signing. It seems on paper we are building a team that should get out of league one but be competitive in the championship. If and when we get there. They just need time to learn to play together. hopefully that wont take too long, bit like when you bring all the players in for the national team at a tournament, difference being they have more time, not too long though hopefully and there will be disappointment along the way, but that will just be a few games here and there, not entire seasons that we have had to endure of late.

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blues1 added 14:07 - Aug 9 Suffolk boy. Who was it who set up the equalizing goal on saturday? Yes, he gets involved too much but so did the likes of Rooney. Do u think the minute fans wanted him to change the way he was. As long as he doesnt get himself sent off and does the business, I really dont care about anything else. That aggressive streak is just part of him. Yes he needs to keep it under control to an extent but I'd rather have a player with his attitude than the niceu niceu attitudes of players weve had in the past several years.

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ringwoodblue added 14:20 - Aug 9 Agree blues1. James just needs to channel his aggression in the right way and stop the silly bookings for arguing and dissent. Yes the drink-driving charge is a blot on his character but we should only judge him for what he does on the pitch
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DaGremloid added 14:23 - Aug 9 Be a crime to only play one up front from now on then.
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Taricco_Fan added 14:34 - Aug 9 A Keegan-esque focus on scoring more goals than the opposition.
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spanishblue added 14:35 - Aug 9 Who else would of been there to nod that ball on to Bonne, Norwood is aggressive no doubt trying to hard cus he wants to play maybe just maybe those N&B will prove valuable pairing
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BlueRuin69 added 14:43 - Aug 9 Our squad will be 22 top class players and with injuries, covid and our ambition thats exactly the way it should be. Coyb
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Bazza8564 added 14:59 - Aug 9 Get In !!! Coulson this afternoon too, then some defenders and we will have a totally unstoppable squad. So looking forward to Newport game now, Barry, Kyle and Aluko, COYB
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Bert added 15:02 - Aug 9 Surely this means we will see more of two up front now we have different combinations to utilise? Either that or the plan is to make the old adage work of “ the best form of defence is attack “ but even so we must plug those gaps at the back which other teams will continue to expose.
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jas0999 added 15:05 - Aug 9 Great signing!
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Rozeeboy74 added 15:07 - Aug 9 That last piece of skill on his clips reel has given me the shivers and sweats!! Awesome!!!
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Linkboy13 added 15:31 - Aug 9 Not too disappointed with the Jacob's deal not going through because of his injury history. Don't know nothing about Edwards but he has a decent cv and should be good at league one level and is still quite young. For me the most important position on the pitch needs to be addressed and that's a centre half with leadership qualities as per Mowbray. DeVos, Mc cauley etc.

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norfolkbluey added 15:50 - Aug 9 Wow the videos look awesome. Does he play like that all the time?!! Will the rest of the team keep up with that pace? Really excited with this guy. Beginning to believe that sideways & passing backwards is a thing of the past. Seriously concerned about the lack of defensive players not being signed. But now in Paul C we trust. I can't believe he hasn't anyone in mind. Let us know soon guys because the supporters are getting just a little worried. Its time for some steel at the back.

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TB42 added 16:16 - Aug 9 Wow, really did not see that one coming; just watched his video, thought I was watching Raheem STERLING playing!! Only 23 too - could be a seriously exciting signing. Welcome to Portman Road Kyle, may your stay be a long, happy and successful one 😀!!
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