Edwards didnt have the lengthiest of Sunderland careers, nor did the latter stages prove the most productive, but its hard to underestimate the added spark or impact he had upon his arrival to Roy Keanes promotion push. Recommended by international teammate Dwight Yorke, Edwards filled Sunderlands problem right wing and always possessed an element of danger to opposing defenders, though he was perhaps a little too lazy at times to take them on. Edwards potential to shoot explosively from distance always left defenders on the back foot,and his fearlessness to take even impossible looking shots on excited the crowds no end and hed quickly added a new dimension to Keanes side. After Edwards had fired two or three highly important goals in the weeks after hed joined the club, Sunderland were on the brink of promotion. It was Roy Keanes biggest match in charge of the Black Cats, at home to Burnley a win would be vital. However, Burnley hadnt read the script: Sunderland were pressing hard well into the second half but the score was still level, but then Edwards popped up from virtually 30 yards out with a thunderbolt of a strike. The Sky cameras were present, as Chairman Niall Quinn leapt from his seat in celebration, and that would be the undying image of that night as Sunderland won another promotion, perhaps the most important in its recent history. The signing of Edwards towards that success and promotion was no doubt as important as the loan signing of Jonny Evans from Manchester United or moving Nosworthy alongside him in defence. While given the financial rewards gained, £1.5m appears a bargain in many peoples books; certainly Niall Quinns, Roy Keanes and Sunderlands the moment Edwards infamous strike bulged the net that night back in 2007.
