The Charleston Battery announced Monday the acquisition of defender Michael Edwards on loan from MLS side Colorado Rapids, pending league and federation approval. The 6-4 center-back joins ahead of the Battery’s clash with D.C. United in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
Edwards, 24, first joined Colorado as a Homegrown Player in 2021 and was re-signed to a new deal with the Rapids this past offseason. The center-back has split time with the first team and Rapids 2 during his tenure with the organization. Edwards has made seven appearances with the first team and 43 appearances with Rapids 2 since 2021.
Edwards also competed for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on loan from 2021 to 2022, featuring in 34 matches in the USL Championship regular season and playoffs.
“Michael is a very strong and experienced center back, he has had tremendous success in USL Championship and MLS,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He is aggressive and physical, and has a good ability to advance the ball. We are very excited for him to join our group.”
Prior to Colorado, Edwards was part of German club VfL Wolfsburg and played for their U-19 and II teams from 2019 to 2021. Edwards made 17 appearances with Wolfsburg II and helped them win the 2018-19 Regionalliga Nord title.
Edwards is a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, and was a product of the D.C. United Academy before heading to Germany.
“Michael has a good balance of aggression and calmness, physicality and finesse,” said Coach Pirmann. “These are good combinations to help our defensive corps while we have suffered injuries. With his experiences and his willingness to work hard for the club, Michael will help our team right away.”
Edwards will wear the number 34 and is available for Tuesday’s Open Cup match against D.C. United.