Wolves and Wales midfielder Dave Edwards has pledged his future to Molineux by signing a new two-and-a-half year contract, with a further year’s option in the club’s favour.
Edwards’ current deal was set to expire at the end of the season, but he is now the first player since the arrival of Head Coach Paul Lambert to secure his long-term future at Wolves.
The 30-year-old, who will have been at Wolves for nine years in January, has made 274 appearances for the club, which puts him at 30th in the all-time list.
“I am both proud and excited to have agreed a deal to extend my stay at this great club,” says Edwards.
“When you go into your last year, there is always that little doubt about injuries and what may happen, so it is great to have got something sorted out.
“It is great for a player to have that reassurance that the club want you, and that Wolves wanted me as much as I wanted to stay here.
“To be part of this club is amazing – I still remember the day I signed and even just making my first appearance was a huge honour.
“To have extended that stay into possibly 11, 12 years, is just incredible, and I feel a very fortunate man.
“It is great that the gaffer wanted to get this deal sorted out and now it is up to me to reward him on the pitch with my performances.”
Lambert was equally pleased to have secured the future of the most experienced outfield player within the Wolves’ dressing room.
“I think it was important for us to get Dave’s future secured,” says the Head Coach.
“First and foremost he can still do it on the pitch, - he is a terrific professional with terrific energy levels and he has got a goal in him as well.
“He also knows the club, and his influence around the place, the character that he is, and his experience, is needed to help what is a fairly young squad of players.
“I think this is great news for the club and also for Dave himself.”
Wolves Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell was also delighted to see Edwards, capped 38 times by Wales including three appearances at the summer’s European Championships finals, put pen to paper.
He said: “We are all delighted that Dave has agreed a deal to extend his stay at Wolves beyond the end of this season.
“He has been at Wolves for almost nine years, and isn’t far off 300 appearances, and has been through some good times and some tough times both as a player and with the team.
“His experience and professionalism, as well as the ability which has seen him picked so regularly for both club and country by a series of different managers and coaches, makes him a key part of Paul’s plans going forward, and is particularly important when the squad has gone through a period of change.
“We talk a lot at Wolves about having good people as well as good players, and Dave fits into both of those categories and always leads by example whatever the team’s fortunes on the pitch.
“We are pleased to have him on board as Paul looks to take the club forward to successful times in the coming years.”
*An extended interview with Dave talking about his time at Wolves so far will follow shortly.
