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Southampton’s newest signing goes from playing non league in 2020, to Premier League in 2024

Southampton’s newest signing, Ronnie Edwards, goes from playing non league in 2020, to joining a Premier League club in 2024.

The 21 year old ‘star boy’ defender joins from Peterborough United for a reported £3m on a four-year deal.

He made 45 appearances in League One for the 2023/24 season, helped the Posh win the EFL Trophy against Bristol City at Wembley and reach the playoffs, but unfortunately for them lost to Oxford United in the semi final.

Edwards also captained the England Under-20s team and will play his first season in the Premier League, with fans pleased that he will finally get the chance.

In 2022, the likes of Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Southampton, Manchester United, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig were reportedly linked with him while he was at Peterborough.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of talented young defender Ronnie Edwards on a four-year deal.

The highly sought-after 21-year-old arrives from Sky Bet League One outfit Peterborough United, building up an impressive bank of experience despite his tender years, with 143 first-team appearances to his name across the last four seasons.

A graduate of the Barnet youth academy, his move to the Football League came in August 2020 at the age of 17, quickly establishing himself as a Posh regular by the start of the 2021/22 Championship campaign, in which he was voted the club’s Player of the Season.

As well as representing England at youth level, captaining the Under-20s, Edwards won the EFL Young Player of the Month award in January 2024 before helping his side lift the EFL Trophy at Wembley in April.

Speaking on the move, he said: “I’m buzzing to be here. It’s a massive club and I can’t wait to get started.

“Obviously from what happened last year they had an unbelievable season. The manager seems like he’s got a great bunch of lads and they’ve got a real togetherness, and the style of play Southampton plays suits me the best.

“I’m excited to get going. It’s a dream come true for anyone, so I’ve got to be excited and obviously looking forward to it.”

Russell Martin said: “Ronnie is a supremely talented footballer with a lot of games already under his belt and a healthy level of experience, even at 21 years of age.

“He shows amazing courage to play, and possesses all the attributes we would look for in a young defender. He’s so excited for the opportunity to play in the Premier League and we can’t wait to get to work with him.”

Ready for the Southampton way ✊

Posted by Southampton FC on Wednesday 3 July 2024

PETERBOROUGH STATEMENT:

Defender Ronnie Edwards has completed a move to Premier League side Southampton for an undisclosed fee.

Peterborough United can confirm that centre back Ronnie Edwards has completed a move to Premier League side Southampton for an undisclosed fee, with the England youth international penning a long-term deal at the Saints.

Edwards, who signed for Posh from non-league side Barnet in December 2019, scored once in 143 appearances for the club, and helped the club to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: “I am delighted for young Ronnie to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League at last and fulfilling the promise made to him by the club in regards to not standing in his way on this move to Southampton.

“I believe under Russell Martin that he will flourish and become an England international in the coming years. Ronnie is another young talent we acquired from non-league and has been outstanding for us over the last four years and we wish him so much success as he becomes a Premier League player.

“I would like to say a special thanks to his family who have been outstanding to deal with during Ronnie’s time with Posh. He is another player, like Ivan Toney, who many clubs in the Premier League will regret not signing due to him being with a League One club and who I have no doubt will one day move for £50 million to one of those very clubs.”

Manager Darren Ferguson added: “Ronnie called me yesterday to thank me and the coaching staff and he was an absolute pleasure to work with.

“Ronnie is one of the best young players I have ever worked with and I have worked with a few. He has got a brilliant move to the Premier League and at a club who are managed by a good guy in Russell Martin, who has great staff around him.

“Ronnie is another player that we have signed, developed and sold to the Premier League and I wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

Edwards was quick to thank the management, his team-mates and the fans for their help and support during his time with the club and is excited about his new challenge.

“I want to thank everyone for their support during my time with the club, the gaffer for putting his faith in me, the coaches for all their help and guidance, my team-mates who have been absolutely brilliant and of course the fans who have backed me. I am excited for my new challenge and am looking forward to getting started.”

Twitter users reacted as Southampton’s newest signing goes from playing non league in 2020, to Premier League in 2024…

@Darrengibson72: He gave us his best early years and now deserves to improve and better himself week in week. Good luck to him and I’m sure he will always be Posh

@mickbcfc1975: Bloody hell if the figures are right at £3m plus £3m in add ons that’s the bargain of the season wow

@lensdejake: Can’t criticise one performance he made with us, been phenomenal all game every game. Everyone misses the high scoring strikers, but he’s really a talent. Has to be in the top 5 young talents we’ve had, ever. Hopefully @SouthamptonFC will help us out on loans 😉

@bartoszdada23: Really sad to see him go, but huge congratulations to him! Always love seeing our players progress in their careers, he deserves it. 💙

@Knighty28: Gutted by this, but fully deserved! Looked a class above league one. Such a talent! Will be the next former posh player representing England, of that I’m sure! 🙌🏻 good luck Ronnie! 👌🏻

@Nige1Chapman: Wonderful player to watch. Rarely do you see such a young centre half with that amount of ability, confidence and unflustered approach. Testament to him that the players around him generally looked for him to lead them. #pufc

@1934JB: Future England player on your hands

@theposh_: Take care of him ❤️

@adamdarkin_07: That’s you lot in the Champions League next year👍🏻

@Tobyypufc: You best look after him, unbelievable player

@SfcAlex__: Thank you Posh 🤝 Good luck for next season we will take care of the future England starter ❤️

@SaintsSocialite: Big thanks to @DMAC102! Good luck this season 🤝

@MichaelRealReed: Good luck Ronnie 💙👏

@ciangilmore_: What a talent, it’s been a pleasure watching you over the past seasons. Good luck at Saints and see you in that England shirt in the coming seasons. Always a blue, Ronnie.

@SFCMart: Whaaaaaaaaat!! Cracking signing this! I have the feeling we’ll be looking back on this moment for years to come. Ron and THB future England centre backs!!

@jonathanrons: You’ve got a cracker of a player. Future senior England defender without doubt. He will benefit from premier league football and develop his outstanding talent further. Thanks Ronnie, it was a pleasure to watch you blossom at @theposh #pufc

@pufcnathan_: Take care of our starboy, no better club for him to go to💙

@jacobcr27518800: Lads he will be a England player soon trust me he’s incredible for his age

@SFCJoeyy_: We’ll take care of him. Enjoy the money from the sell on in a few seasons 🤣

@3TeamTonyBez: Good fit for him, he should flourish with their style of play

@Fleetwood_Zach_: Well, totally unexpected. What a move and opportunity for Ronnie. There’s a future England captain right there. All the best Ronnie and thanks for everything 💙

@PoshChappers: Good luck at the Saints Ronnie and thanks, it’s been a pleasure watching you for the last few seasons.

@stivesposh: Loved watching this lad play. He was top class. A great move for him so wishing Ronnie all the very best. #pufc

@pufc_central07: Legend. deserved this for a long time go smash it up Ronnie, once a blue Forever a blue 💙.

@StevieSee1975: All the best Ronnie. Superb player.

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