The Transfer Lowdown: Kyle Edwards

Despite some gloom after the past couple of weeks, there has been some transfer news that would help cheer up fans’ spirits. Kyle Edwards is currently having a trial with Reading and has reportedly flown up with the team to Scotland for their pre-season tour. Edwards was recently released by West Brom following their relegation from the Premier League.

The current transfer embargo makes it difficult for Reading to sign any players but, due to Edwards being a free agent, the chances of his trial becoming a permanent stay are much more likely.

However, despite this there is still set to be a compensation figure that Reading will have to agree on with West Brom for the training and development of their former player. If the two clubs cannot agree on a fee, it will go to a panel who will decide upon the cost.

Who is Kyle Edwards?

Kyle Edwards is a 23-year-old Dudley-born winger. He had been at West Brom since the age of six, but he got his chance in first-team football back in August 2017 when he signed for Exeter City until January. Exeter then re-signed him on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 season. He proceeded to make 24 appearances in the league for Exeter, scoring one goal and setting up another.

Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

He then got his West Brom debut the following season, after coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Luton in the EFL Cup. He went on to make a further 36 appearances for West Brom including his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Brentford. During his 17 years with the club, he scored three goals as per Who Scored.

He has further represented England at youth-team level, being with the under-16s, under-17s and under-20s. He made a combined total of eight appearances for the above teams.

Edwards certainly showed promise at West Brom and during the years of Darren Moore and Tony Pulis he was rated very highly. However, as he did not get adequate game time and the chance to impress he did not fulfil his potential.

What to expect from Edwards?

Edwards likes to carry the ball while beating his man. He seems to be an out-and-out winger, something that we have lacked ever since Mo Barrow left the club. Despite this, his stats seem to show that a weakness would be his finishing and an end product - something that we may lack this season with the departure of Michael Olise.

His pace is something that could be utilised very effectively, especially towards the latter stages of games. That raw pace is something that we have lacked - again ever since the departure of Mo Barrow, the ability to drive us up the pitch and draw free kicks, corners and throw-ins.

The Daily Record have reported that Celtic are interested in bringing him to Celtic Park. It is not yet known if Celtic have officially rekindled their interest in the player. If they were to do so it would surely make life a lot tougher for Reading.