What Ronnie Edwards' final message to Southampton was after QPR move | OneFootball

Ronnie Edwards has joined QPR on a permanent deal from Southampton

Ronnie Edwards has sealed a permanent switch away from Southampton this January, re-joining Queens Park Rangers, where he spent the second half of last campaign, and has issued a message to Saints fans following his departure.

Having narrowly beaten Derby County's lowest-ever points record of 11 in the Premier League last season with 12, Southampton had a huge job to revamp the playing squad this summer in preparation for fighting their way back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

The likes of Tom Fellows, Joshua Quarshie, Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza, and Caspar Jander all joined the club under the watch of Will Still, but the former Reims and Lens boss wouldn't last long at St Mary's, and would promptly be replaced by the clubs Under-21's boss, Tonda Eckert.

Still often changed the club's starting shape game by game, sometimes preferring a back four, sometimes a back three, whereas Eckert has solely relied on the back three during his tenure.

With Quarshie, Jack Stephens, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Nathan Wood in the ranks, this has meant that Ronnie Edwards has struggled to nail down a place in the club's back line, leading to a £4.5 million switch to Queens Park Rangers this January.

Edwards spent the second half of last campaign on loan in West London, making 21 appearances and quickly becoming a fan favourite, and upon his permanent move to London, the defender has sent a message to Saints fans.

What Ronnie Edwards said to Southampton fans after leaving the club for Queens Park Rangers

Indeed, having signed for Southampton for £3 million from League One Peterborough United in the summer of 2024, Edwards found his game time severely limited in the Premier League last campaign.

His lack of minutes led him to join QPR on loan last winter, and upon his return to the South Coast this summer, he has been unable to make a lasting impression in the Saints side, and has now joined the R's on a permanent basis.

Ahead of his return to Loftus Road, Edwards posted a message to Southampton fans via his Instagram story.

Indeed, Edwards made just 12 league appearances for Southampton during his 18 months contracted to the club, including only 11 this season, but thanked supporters during his time at the club.

He goes on to wish the best for the club and acknowledges that he will see them further down the line, and with QPR set to travel to St Mary's in February, a reunion next month is well and truly on the cards.

Ronnie Edwards failed to leave his mark in the Southampton side and rejoins Queens Park Rangers, with whom he excelled on loan last season

Upon joining QPR last January, Edwards instantly became an integral figure in the club's back line, partnering the likes of Morgan Fox, Steve Cook, and Liam Morrison in former boss Marti Cifuentes preferred back four formation.

Now under Julien Stephan, Edwards will have to earn his place in the R's back line once again, with his starting berth certainly not a formality at this stage.

Though with how he excelled in West London last season, and with both Jake Clarke-Salter and Morrison suffering injuries in recent weeks, it's a pretty good bet that he will find his way into the starting lineup in the coming weeks.

Whether Southampton will regret this sale in years to come remains to be seen, but QPR fans will be excited by the permanent arrival of Edwards, having already caught a glimpse of what he is capable of during his stint with them six months ago.