Gwion Edwards
{{short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Gwion Edwards
| image = GwionEdwardsBntIps1.jpg
| caption = Edwards playing for Ipswich Town in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|3|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Lampeter, Wales
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}{{cite web |url=https://wiganathletic.com/players/gwiondafyddrhysedwards |title=Gwion Edwards |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |access-date=25 August 2022}}
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Morecambe
| clubnumber = 7
| youthyears1 = 2004–2007
| youthclubs1 = Aberystwyth Town
| youthclubs2 = Swansea City
| youthyears2 = 2007–2011
| years1 = 2011–2014
| clubs1 = Swansea City
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2013
| clubs2 = → St Johnstone (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013–2014
| clubs3 = → St Johnstone (loan)
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2014
| clubs4 = → Crawley Town (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2014–2016
| clubs5 = Crawley Town
| caps5 = 79
| goals5 = 12
| years6 = 2016–2018
| clubs6 = Peterborough United
| caps6 = 59
| goals6 = 11
| years7 = 2018–2021
| clubs7 = Ipswich Town
| caps7 = 95
| goals7 = 14
| years8 = 2021–2023
| clubs8 = Wigan Athletic
| caps8 = 32
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2023
| clubs9 = → Ross County (loan)
| caps9 = 5
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Morecambe
| caps10 = 46
| goals10 = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalteam1 = Wales U19
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2012–2014
| nationalteam2 = Wales U21
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| club-update = 19:58, 24 March 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 11:59, 16 March 2019 (UTC)
}}
Gwion Dafydd Rhys Edwards (born 1 March 1993) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a winger for {{English football updater|Morecamb}} club Morecambe. He is a former Wales Under-21 international.
Edwards joined the Swansea City academy in 2007, having previously spent three years at Aberystwyth Town. He spent seven years at Swansea, having graduated from the club's academy. During his time at Swansea he spent two spells out on loan at Scottish side St Johnstone and one with English side Crawley Town, before joining the later permanently in 2014. He spent two years at Crawley before joining Peterborough United in 2016, where he spent two seasons. In 2018, Edwards signed for Ipswich Town.
He has represented Wales at youth level, winning caps at U19 and U21 levels. He has been called up to the senior Wales squad in 2014 and 2018.
Club career
=Swansea City=
After spells with clubs including Aberystwyth Town and Cardiff City, Edwards joined Swansea City Football Club as an U15. Rising up through the Swansea youth system, Edwards signed his first professional contract, a 3-year deal, with Swansea City after a successful 2010–11 season. He went on to help Swansea win the FAW Welsh Youth Cup{{cite web | title = Quartet offered new deals | url = http://www.swanseacity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/quartet_offered_new_deals_672962/index.shtml | publisher = Swanseacity-mad.co.uk | access-date = 3 February 2013}} and was a permanent fixture in Swansea Reserve team, winning Reserve Team Player of the Year in 2011–12.{{cite web | title = PLAYER PROFILE | url = http://www.swanseacity.com/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=469978&tcmuri=17753| publisher = swanseacity.com | access-date = 3 February 2013}}
On 9 May 2012, Edwards signed a new three-year contract with Swansea, keeping him at the club until June 2015.{{cite news | title = Gwion Edwards signs new three-year Swansea contract| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18011783| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 9 May 2012}} He featured on the bench for the first team on 13 May 2012, in a 1–0 win over Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium. He was called by Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers to be subbed on during stoppage time but did not make it onto the field due to the ball not going out of play before the final whistle.{{cite web | title = Gwion Edwards nearly fulfilled his Premier League dream with Swansea... now he returns with Ipswich | date = 6 October 2018| url = https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town-winger-gwion-edwards-returns-to-swansea-1-5724742| publisher = East Anglian Daily Times | access-date = 23 June 2019}}
==St Johnstone (loans)==
On 31 January 2013, Edwards moved to Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web | title = Gwion goes out on loan | url = http://www.swanseacity.com/news/article/gwion-loan-631378.aspx | publisher = swanseacity.com | access-date = 3 February 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made his professional debut by coming off the bench in the 72nd minute in a 2–0 defeat to St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.{{cite news | title = St Mirren 2–0 St Johnstone | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209383| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 3 February 2013}} Edwards made his SPL debut by coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw with Celtic on 19 February.{{cite news | title = St Johnstone 1–1 Celtic | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21449253| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 2 March 2013}}
Edwards made a return to St Johnstone in July 2013, joining on loan until January 2014. Edwards made his Europa League debut in St Johnstone's 1–0 victory away vs Rosenborg on 18 July 2013 coming on in the 66th minute.{{cite news|title=GWION BACK FOR A SECOND STINT WITH SAINTS|url=http://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitemsdetail.php?param=2589|publisher=Perth St.Johnstone|date=1 July 2013|access-date=1 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010046/http://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitemsdetail.php?param=2589|archive-date=15 October 2014}} In the third round of the second leg of the Europa League against Minsk, Edwards was among two players to see their penalty successfully converted, which Minsk won, eliminating St Johnstone from the competition.{{cite news|title=St Johnstone lose to Minsk on penalties|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23527531|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 August 2013|access-date=1 September 2014}} Edwards then scored his first professional goal in a 3–0 win for St Johnstone against Hamilton Academical in the Scottish League Cup.{{cite news | title = Hamilton 0–3 St Johnstone | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24122136| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 4 February 2014}}
By the end of his second loan spell with St Johnstone, Edwards had made a total of 24 appearances in all competitions, scoring 1 goal.{{cite web|title=Edwards benefits from loan spell |url=http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/edwards-benefits-loan-spell-1311698.aspx |publisher=Swanseacity.net |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224173848/http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/edwards-benefits-loan-spell-1311698.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=unfit }}
=Crawley Town=
On 27 March 2014, Edwards joined League One side Crawley Town on a one-month loan.{{Cite web |title=Reds sign Premier League winger |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/27-03-gwion-edwards-1448447.aspx |work=Crawley Town FC |date=27 March 2014}} On 15 April 2014, Edwards enjoyed a goalscoring-debut for Crawley as a 76th-minute substitute in their 2–0 win against Tranmere Rovers.{{cite web | title = Crawley 2–0 Tranmere | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/2631899036| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 17 April 2014}} In his second appearance, Edwards scored again for Crawley in their 2–1 victory against Leyton Orient.{{cite news | title = Crawley 2–1 Leyton Orient | date = 17 April 2014| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26983301| publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 20 April 2014}} After impressing Crawley manager John Gregory, Edwards' loan was extended to the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web | title = John Gregory is keen to extend Gwion Edwards' loan | url = http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/crawley-town-fc/john-gregory-is-keen-to-extend-gwion-edwards-loan-1-6030883| publisher = Crawley Observer | access-date = 30 April 2014}}
On 11 July 2014, Edwards signed for Crawley Town on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |title=Gwion is back! |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/11.07-gwion-edwards-signs-1743901.aspx |work=Crawley Town F.C.|date=11 July 2014}} Edwards' first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season, as Crawley Town beat Barnsley 1–0.{{cite news|title=Barnsley 0 – 1 Crawley Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28646708|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2014|access-date=1 September 2014}} He went on to make 93 appearances in all competitions over three seasons at the Broadfield Stadium, scoring 15 goals.{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=65079|title=Gwion Edwards at Soccerbase|access-date=22 June 2019}}
=Peterborough United=
On 24 June 2016, Edwards joined League One side Peterborough United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite news |title=Gwion Edwards: Peterborough United sign Crawley Town midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36626486 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 June 2016}} He scored the winner on his debut in a 3–2 win over Rochdale on 6 August 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36929920|title=Rochdale 2–3 Peterborough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2016|access-date=9 August 2016}} He won the club's goal of the season award for the 2016–17 season for an individual effort in a 2–0 win over Charlton Athletic on 17 December.{{cite news |title=Bostwick Wins Top Honours At End Of Season Awards |url=https://www.theposh.com/news/2017/april/bostwick-wins-top-honours-at-end-of-season-awards/ |publisher=Peterborough United F.C. |date=27 April 2017 |access-date=10 March 2020}} Edwards made 74 appearances for Peterborough during two seasons at the club, scoring 16 goals,
=Ipswich Town=
On 17 July 2018, he signed a two-year deal (plus an option for a further year) with Ipswich Town, for a reported fee of £700,000.{{Cite news |title=Town Confirm Edwards Signing |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/33959/town-confirm-edwards-signing |publisher=TWTD |date=17 July 2018}} Edwards scored his first goal for the club on his debut in a 2–2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road, on the opening day of the season.{{Cite news |title=Ipswich Town 2—2 Blackburn Rovers March Report |url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/2018192/august/ipswich-town-vs-blackburn-rovers-on-04-aug-18/# |publisher=Ipswich Town Official Website |date=4 August 2018}} Edwards went on to score 6 goals in 34 appearances in his debut season at Portman Road, including scoring in the East Anglian Derby at Portman Road on 2 September 2018.{{Cite news |title=Report Card: Grading Hurst's lower league signings following steep Ipswich Town learning curve|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town-report-card-2018-19-paul-hurst-signings-1-6049532 |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |date=15 May 2019}}
He scored his first goal of the 2019–20 season on 24 August, netting the second goal in a 0–5 away win against Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49378709|title=Bolton Wanderers 0–5 Ipswich Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2019|access-date=26 August 2019}} He featured regularly throughout the season, often filling in at right wing-back and right-back due to an injury to Kane Vincent-Young. On 18 May 2020, Ipswich took up the one-year option in his contract, extending his stay at the club until 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2020/may/gwion-edwards-stays-another-year/|title=Gwion Extends Town Stay|publisher=Ipswich Town F.C.|date=18 May 2020|access-date=18 May 2020}}
Edwards scored in the opening game of the 2020–21 season, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 home win over Wigan Athletic. He continued his goal scoring form throughout September and October, scoring 5 goals in the opening 6 games of the season, including a brace in a 4–1 away win over Blackpool on 10 October. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Ipswich reportedly entered negotiations to extend Edwards's deal, but were unable to come to an agreement and he left the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/gwion-edwards-contract-latest-8000540|title = Gwion Edwards contract latest as Blues bid to keep Welsh winger|date = 26 May 2021}}
=Wigan Athletic=
On 10 June 2021, Edwards completed a move to Wigan Athletic, signing a two-year deal with the club.{{cite news|title=GWION EDWARDS AGREES TO JOIN LATICS!|url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/june/Gwion-Edwards-Agrees-To-Join-Latics-/|publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C.|date=10 June 2021|access-date=10 June 2021}} He scored on his debut for Wigan in a 2–1 defeat at Sunderland on 7 August 2021.{{cite news
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58035988
|title=Sunderland 2-1 Wigan
|publisher=BBC
|date=7 August 2021 |access-date=10 August 2021}}
Edwards was loaned to Scottish club Ross County in January 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64474406 |title=Ross County: Gwion Edwards signs on loan from Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2023 |access-date=2 February 2023}}
He was released by Wigan at the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2023/may/23/wigan-athletic-confirm-retained-list-ahead-of-the-2023-24-campaign-/|title=WIGAN ATHLETIC CONFIRM RETAINED LIST AHEAD OF THE 2023/24 CAMPAIGN|website=wiganathletic.com|date=23 May 2023|accessdate=24 May 2023}}
=Morecambe=
On 3 January 2024, Edwards signed for Morecambe on a contract until the end of the 2023-2024 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2024/january/gwion-edwards-becomes-first-january-arrival|title=Gwion Edwards becomes first January arrival!|website=Morecambe FC.com|date=3 January 2024|accessdate=3 January 2024}}
On 17 May 2024, Edwards signed a new two-year deal with the option for a further year.{{cite web|url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2024/may/edwards-extends-shrimps-stay/|title=Edwards extends Shrimps stay!|website=www.morecambefc.com|date=17 May 2024|accessdate=17 May 2024}}
International career
Edwards has won 2 caps for the Wales under-19 team, featuring in matches against Scotland and Slovenia in 2011.{{cite web | title = Under-19 – Gwion Edwards | url = https://www.uefa.com/under19/teams/players/250041144--gwion-edwards/| publisher = UEFA | access-date = 3 February 2013}} In September 2012, he made his Wales under-21 debut in a 5–0 defeat by the Czech Republic.{{cite web | title = Edwards's debut for under-21s | url = http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Edwards-s-debut-21s/story-16881293-detail/story.html| publisher = thisissouthwales.co.uk | access-date = 3 February 2013}} He scored his first international goal for the Wales under-21 team on 19 May 2014, in a 3–1 loss to England at the Liberty Stadium.{{cite news|title=Wales U21 vs. England U21 1 – 3|work=Soccerway|date=19 May 2014|access-date=23 June 2019|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2014/05/19/europe/uefa-u21-championship/wales-under-21/england-under-21/1445795/}} Edwards won 6 caps for Wales' under-21 side between 2012 and 2014, scoring 1 goal.{{cite news|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/gwion-edwards/211043/|title=Gwion Edwards at Soccerway|access-date=23 June 2019}}
He received his first senior international call up in October 2014, being called into the Wales senior squad for the Euro-2016 qualifying matches versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus. He was an unused substitute in both matches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29538288|title=Euro 2016: Gwion Edwards called up for Wales qualifiers|date=8 October 2014|publisher=BBC Sport}} On 12 October 2018, Edwards was called up by Wales manager Ryan Giggs for the squad to face the Republic of Ireland in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League four days later. He was an unused substitute as Wales emerged 1–0 winners in Dublin.{{cite news|title=Ryan Giggs: Wales boss says his side will learn from harsh 'lesson'|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|first=Dafydd|last=Pritchard|work=BBC Sport Wales|date=12 October 2018|access-date=12 October 2018|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45831873}}
Career statistics
{{updated|end of 2023–24 season}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Swansea City
|2011–12{{soccerbase season|65079|2011|access-date=16 July 2017}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13{{soccerbase season|65079|2012|access-date=16 July 2017}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2013–14
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|St Johnstone (loan)
|6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|65079|2013|access-date=16 July 2017}}
|13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3Appearances in UEFA Europa League | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| Crawley Town (loan)
|6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Crawley Town
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|65079|2014|access-date=16 July 2017}} |League One |37 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy | 1 | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|65079|2015|access-date=16 July 2017}}
|42 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 45 | 8 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!85 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 93 | 15 | |
| rowspan="3"|Peterborough United
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|65079|2016|access-date=16 July 2017}} |League One |33 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy | 0 | 41 | 9 | ||
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|65079|2017|access-date=16 July 2017}}
|League One |26 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 33 | 7 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 74 | 16 | |
| rowspan="4"|Ipswich Town
|2018–19{{soccerbase season|65079|2018|access-date=16 May 2019}} |33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 6 | |||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|65079|2019|access-date=16 May 2019}}
|League One |27 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | 35 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|65079|2020|access-date=16 May 2019}}
|League One |36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 40 | 6 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!96 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 108 | 14 | |
| rowspan=3|Wigan Athletic
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|65079|2021|access-date=5 June 2022}} |League One |30 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 2 | 43 | 3 | ||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|65079|2022|access-date=5 June 2022}}
|Championship |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 45 | 3 | |
| Ross County (loan)
|Scottish Premiership |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| Morecambe
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|65079|2023|accessdate=17 May 2024}} |League Two |21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 3 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!315 | 43 | 21 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 4 | 372 | 52 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Wigan Athletic
- EFL League One: 2021–22{{Cite web |title=Watch: Latics clinch Sky Bet League One title |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/may/watch-latics-clinch-sky-bet-league-one-title/ |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=www.efl.com |language=en-gb}}
Individual
- Peterborough United Goal of the Season: 2016–17
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Morecambe F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Gwion}}
Category:Sportspeople from Ceredigion
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:St Johnstone F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Peterborough United F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:Ross County F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players