Carlisle United are delighted to welcome striker Ryan Edmondson on a transfer from Leeds United on a two-year deal which keeps him at Brunton Park until the summer of 2024.
Harrogate-born Edmondson, 21, cut his teeth as a youngster with York City, becoming the club’s third ever youngest player to play for the first team at the tender age of 16 years and 140 days.
He was snapped up by Leeds United, then in Championship, in 2017 and has enjoyed loan spells with Aberdeen, Northampton Town, Fleetwood Town and most recently Port Vale during his five seasons with his parent club.
He bagged three goals for the Valiants, as they booked promotion into League One via the play-offs last season, and has also represented England at under-19 level.
Manager Paul Simpson said: “I think Ryan is a really good signing for us. He’s a player I know, he was involved in my England U19s, so I know of him and I’ve watched a lot of him.
“He’s had a bit of an up and down time with his loan moves, some have worked and some haven’t. He was unfortunate up at Aberdeen that he got injured.
“I wanted a big target man, he’s a bit of a throwback, but I wanted an old-school number 9. He absolutely works his socks off, he can get goals and get on the end of things.
“He can hold it up and create, and he’s a bloody pest for centre backs. He had a year left at Leeds and when we enquired about him I actually thought it would be too big of an ask, but I could only ask. The minute I spoke to his agent then eventually spoke to Ryan, and they were absolutely up for it.”
“I know he had better offers to go elsewhere, but the fortune thing is that he knows me from working with me before,” he continued. “He wanted to come here because he thinks this is where he can come and develop.
“He knows he’s got a manager who knows him and understands him. I’m really looking forward to working with him, he’s got a good personality and he’s really keen to learn and develop.
“If it’s a case of him using us to kick on his career, I don’t mind that, because I want somebody who has got that fire in his belly.
“He needs to come in and do the job, to wear that number 9 shirt and deal with what comes with that.
“The challenge is for him to show me and the rest of the staff that he deserves to start as our striker. He’s competing with some other lads who think they should be in the team, which is only a good thing.”
“He’s had some loan moves and things like that, but I do think he’s at a stage where he knows he needs to show people what he’s about and put a bit of a marker down,” he concluded.
“It’s been frustrating that we’ve had to wait, it’s been agreed for three or four weeks, but he’s been on holiday over in Australia.
“He only arrived back on Tuesday then he was straight in for his medical and to sign everything. I know the supporters are desperate for news on signings, but we’re guided by the other clubs and when we can get players into the building.
“Sonny was another that was done. I think it was probably four weeks ago when he came in and we did his photos, but we had to work with Fulham on that announcement and wait until Wednesday.
“I think we’ve got some real hungry players, Tomas is another player who has played at a higher level. I did a zoom call with him when he was over in the Czech Republic and he was really keen to come over and be part of a good project, he doesn’t want to be scrapping around at the wrong end of the table.
"Owen was done early and I’ve been really impressed with him physically today, he’s in good shape. We’ve got four good additions to what we’ve already got, then let’s wait and see what else comes over the next few weeks."
Ryan is available to sponsor, call the commercial team on 0330 094 5930 option 3 for more details.
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