Versatility on the left-hand side means Edwards is going to find minutes to prove Vanney knows him best.
CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy announced that they completed the signing of 26-year-old midfielder Raheem Edwards on Friday. Edwards, a Canadian international, will join the club on a three-year contract with a one-year club option to keep him with the Galaxy through the 2025 season.
Edwards is a true MLS journeyman at this point in his relatively young career. His latest stop with the Galaxy highlights five other MLS sides after being brought up with Toronto FC II from 2015-2017 with a brief loan appearance on the senior side in 2016. His familiarity with Toronto’s system and former TFC manager Greg Vanney is probably the biggest reason for his signing. But he’s also played for Chicago, Montreal, Minnesota, and LAFC.
And the Galaxy, especially Vanney, are expecting that some stability and a familiar face on the bench will lead to bigger things for Edwards over the life of this current contract.
“Raheem is a versatile and dynamic player who is ready for another big step in his career,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “We are thrilled to bring in a player of Raheem’s quality and experience within MLS to the Galaxy, and I expect him to be a key contributor for our club.”
But it’s no surprise nearly everyone who talks about Edwards sees the same thing — versatility. The winger has played almost every position on the left side of the field. And while MLS currently lists him as a forward, it’s expected that he can play as a winger, a wingback, a left-back, or an all-out goalscorer.
Edwards played in 27 games with 15 starts for cross-town rival LAFC in 2021 and will be the first full-time player to join the Galaxy from their neighbors — Niko Hamalainen was the first player to have ever played for both teams, but he was out on loan from Queens Park Rangers both of those times.
The MLSPA listed Edwards as having earned $96,375 in 2021, and it’s not expected that the Galaxy broke the bank to secure the mainly-depth signing. But Edwards can carry any amount of minutes the Galaxy needs to get from him and has over 4,500 minutes in the league with five goals and 13 assists.
The Galaxy have 23 players listed on the roster with the addition of Edwards and seven of their eight international slots occupied. And while Edwards was listed as an International Player in 2021 for LAFC, he won’t occupy an international slot for the Galaxy. He’s received his US Green Card.
The three-year contract is a bit on the long side when considering the Galaxy aren’t necessarily getting a starting piece. But Vanney coaxed six assists and a goal out of Edwards in 2017. Surely he’s looking for more in LA.
