COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have signed defender Michael Edwards to a two-year contract with a club option for an additional year, the club announced today.
“Mike was a key contributor on our inaugural Rapids 2 roster last year and also played an important role in the Switchbacks’ deep playoff run during his loan there,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “We’re delighted to re-sign him and look forward to seeing his continued development with the club.”
Edwards originally joined the Rapids ahead of the 2021 season as a Homegrown Player after the club acquired his Homegrown Priority from D.C. United. The 22-year-old spent that year on loan with USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, registering 2,045 minutes across 24 appearances, netting two goals and helping the Switchbacks reach the USL Championship Western Conference Quarterfinals.
With the launch of Rapids 2 last year, Edwards was loaned to the MLS NEXT Pro side and went on to make 12 appearances with the team, registering 966 minutes and scoring a goal. Edwards also logged his second stint in Colorado Springs, going on loan to Switchbacks FC following the conclusion of the MLSNP season. He made 10 appearances with Colorado Springs en route to helping the side reach the 2022 USL Championship Western Conference Final.
Prior arriving in Colorado, Edwards spent three years in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg’s youth system. The Woodbridge, Va., native initially joined Wolfsburg’s U-19 academy team in October 2018 as a 17-year-old after several years in the D.C. United Academy. Edwards made 14 appearances for Wolfsburg’s U-19s before being promoted to Wolfsburg II in the Regionalliga Nord, the German fourth tier, in July 2019. Edwards went on to make 17 appearances, all of them starts, and trained with Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga squad.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign defender Michael Edwards to a two-year contract with a club option for an additional year on January 13, 2023.
Michael Edwards
Pronunciation: ED-werdz
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 176
Birthdate: November 27, 2000
Birthplace: Woodbridge, VA
Nationality: USA
