Edds eager to make big impact at Rovers

Jun 11 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

GARETH EDDS wants to do his talking on the pitch after becoming Tranmere’s first summer signing.

The Australian featured as a pundit on Sky Sports for his country’s recent World Cup qualifier against Iraq – but in terms of appearances on the pitch, he has made only one so far in 2008.

While his Milton Keynes Dons team-mates were plotting a route up to League One under the guidance of Paul Ince last season, Edds spent most of his time recovering from ankle surgery.

But the midfielder has still managed to climb up a division after joining Rovers on a free following his release from last year’s League Two champions.

And the 27-year old, who has signed a two-year deal, is desperate to make up for the time he has spent on treatment tables and in TV studios.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Edds. “I always work hard and give 100% and hope the fans like what I bring.

“I get around and I’ll run all day. I’ll be giving everything I’ve got to help Tranmere try to get in the Championship.”

Tranmere played a significant part in Edds’s elevation to something of a hero among the MK Dons faithful.

It was against Rovers that he scored twice to keep them in League One with a 2-1 victory on the final day of the 2004-05 season.

“I’ve had a few good memories against Tranmere and scored a few goals, but let’s hope I can score a few for Tranmere now,” said Edds.

“I’ve got great memories from MK Dons but it was time to move on. I want to do new things and this was a fantastic place for me to come.

“I’m happy to be at Tranmere. They’re a good team, did well last season and were unlucky not to get in the play-offs.

“They’ve got good ambitions and I want to be a part of them.

“There are good facilities here. I’ve played here before and always thought it was a good stadium.”

Manager Ronnie Moore welcomed the Australian’s versatility and his ability to get up and down the pitch.

He said: “I’m delighted to have signed Gareth. He’s as comfortable at right-back as he is in midfield, so his versatility will be very useful.

“Last season we missed having a box-to-box midfielder and Gareth will provide that.

“He is a hard-working, quality player who is a good signing for the club and I look forward to working with him.” Edds, from Sydney, Australia, began his career in England as a trainee with Nottingham Forest.

He joined Milton Keynes in 2004 following spells at Bradford City and Swindon Town and has made more than 200 career appearances, almost 150 of which came for the Dons.

He has represented Australia Under-20s at the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina in 2001.

And Moore has vowed to make sure Edds is the first of a number of good quality signings he has lined up for the close season.

“This is just the first signing of the summer and we are working at bringing more talented players to Prenton Park in the coming weeks,” he added.