Diamond Edwards Explained

Diamond Edwards
Fullname:	Milan Diamond Lazane Edwards^[1]
Birth Date:	18 September 2003
Birth Place:	Reading, England
Height:	1.75 m
Position:	Midfielder
Currentclub:	Port Vale
Clubnumber:	25
Youthyears1:	2016–2019
Youthclubs1:	Reading
Youthyears2:	2019–2022
Youthclubs2:	Southampton
Years1:	2022–2024
Clubs1:	Southampton
Caps1:	0
Goals1:	0
Years2:	2024–
Clubs2:	Port Vale
Caps2:	0
Goals2:	0
Club-Update:	20:16, 20 August 2024(BST)

Milan Diamond Lazane Edwards (born 18 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Port Vale. He previously played for Southampton.

Career

Southampton

Edwards joined Southampton from Reading in 2019. He signed his first professional contract in December 2020.^[2] He was a part of the Under-18s Premier League South title-winning team of the 2021–22 season.^[3] Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl brought him along to train with the first-team in Austria in July 2022.^[4]

On 23 August 2022, Edwards made his first professional appearance in a 0–3 victory against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup, replacing Ibrahima Diallo in the 90th minute.^[5] On 16 September, Edwards was forced off due to injury against Leeds U21; B team head coach Dave Horseman later revealed he suffered an ACL injury and would likely miss the remainder of the 2022–23 season.^{[6] [7]} On 17 November, Edwards signed a contract extension until 2025.^{[8] [9]}

Port Vale

He spent July 2024 on trial at Port Vale, where he impressed manager Darren Moore.^{[10] [11]} On 14 August, Edwards joined Port Vale on a one-year contract.^{[12] [13]} He scored on his debut for the Valiants six days later, in a 2–0 win at Salford City in the EFL Trophy.^[14]

Style of play

Edwards is an attacking midfielder with excellent dribbling skills.^[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Southampton	2022–23	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	2023–24	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Port Vale	2024–25	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1
Career total			0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	0

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed. Premier League. 10 June 2022. 23 August 2022.
2. Web site: Four youngsters sign professional deals. 11 December 2020. 23 August 2022. southamptonfc.com.
3. Web site: Diamond Edwards . www.southamptonfc.com . 6 July 2024 . en-gb.
4. News: House . Alfie . 'We'll get good players' - Horseman's verdict on B team, Diamond and new loans . 6 July 2024 . Daily Echo . 27 July 2022 . en.
5. Web site: 23 August 2023 . Cambridge United 0–3 Southampton . 29 May 2023 . BBC Sport.
6. Web site: 16 September 2022 . Leeds U21 v Southampton U21 . 29 May 2023 . Premier League.
7. Web site: House . Alfie . 12 October 2022 . Promising Southampton youngster ruled out for remainder of the season with injury . 29 May 2023 . Southern Daily Echo.
8. Web site: 17 November 2022 . Diamond Edwards signs contract extension . 29 May 2023 . Southampton FC.
9. Web site: 17 November 2022 . Saints' starlet signs new deal . 29 May 2023 . BBC Sport.
10. News: Baggaley . Mike . Darren Moore embracing big decisions . 8 July 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 8 July 2024.
11. News: Diamond Edwards: Port Vale sign winger from Southampton . 14 August 2024 . BBC Sport . 14 August 2024.
12. Web site: 14 August 2024 . Edwards departs for permanent Port Vale move . 14 August 2024 . Port Vale FC.
13. News: Diamond Edwards is a Valiant Port Vale FC . 14 August 2024 . Port Vale FC . 14 August 2024 . en.
14. News: Match Report Salford City 0-2 Port Vale [Bristol Street Motors Trophy] Port Vale FC ]. 21 August 2024 . Port Vale FC . 20 August 2024 . en.
15. News: Baggaley . Mike . Vale in talks about player deal . 14 August 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 14 August 2024.