Rob Edwards says Adam Armstrong’s hunger to be a Wolves player during recent conversations ensured him he was the right man to sign on deadline day.
The head coach has come across his new number nine a number of times as an opponent, and earlier this season, when his Middlesbrough side faced Southampton, and the 28-year-old was the “best player on the pitch”.
However, come Monday 2nd February, the pair were on the same side. Armstrong signed to become Edwards’ first signing as Wolves head coach, bringing goals and experience, but it was his hunger to represent the club which stood out.
On bringing in Armstrong’s quality
“I’m really pleased. He’s someone I've admired for a long, long time. He's a really good footballer, a goal threat and a goal scorer. I've been unlucky enough to go up against him a few times as a manager, so I've seen him up close and personal. Earlier this season, Middlesbrough against Southampton, I felt he was the best player on the pitch that day. I thought was really, really good.
“He's a striker, but he's someone who can play off the sides if we wanted him to. He’ll see himself as a nine and as a goal scorer, but he's more than that. I think he'll work incredibly hard for the team. He's very good from with his work rate, but like everyone these days, all players have got to be able to work incredibly hard and be able to press the right way, and work for the team. He does all those things – they come naturally to him.”
Deadline day ✅ pic.twitter.com/HdU8YTKiUT
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 2, 2026
On wanting to be a Wolves player
“He's really hungry and wants to be here. I've been maintaining that all month, that we want people who want to be here, who we think can affect us now and going forward as well, and he's certainly one of those people. He's really excited to be here. This is going to be good for both of us. I'm really looking forward to working with him. Paul Trollope worked with him earlier in the season at Southampton, and speaks really, really highly of him.
“He's a competitor, he's got that bit of something about him that we need now. He’s got great experience in England as well and it gives some real clarity for people to see the direction that we want to try and go.”
On bringing leadership to the club
“He's quietly unassuming. I think when he speaks, people will listen, because invariably he’ll be right. He's someone who will lead by example very well. We were only going to bring people in if we felt they could really affect the group in a positive way, not just on the pitch, but around the whole place as well. He will do that, Adam.”
On looking to the future
“With Adam, he’s a signing for the long term. I want to stress that he was really keen to come and join Wolves and wants to play for Wolves. I want everyone to really get behind him and show him that love really early on, because he had other options. He's a sought-after player, and he's obviously been having a fantastic season at Southampton, so it’s a really good day for the club getting him in.”
