Wigan v Huddersfield Town: Versatile Edgar is keen to help thaw away form

The 27-year old defender – who joined Town on Wednesday in a loan deal from Birmingham City until the summer – is originally from Ontario, Canada.

“I spoke to my mum yesterday, she’s a school teacher, and the children couldn’t go outside because it was minus 30,” said Edgar. “Six feet of snow and minus 30 is normal.”

Throw in the fact Edgar turned his back on a promising professional ice hockey career as a teenager, and it is no wonder he looked at home in snow-covered Huddersfield when The Yorkshire Post caught up with him.

“I played hockey up until I made the decision to really focus on football, and moved to England,” he said.

“I played at a good level.

“I was 14, and came and spent the whole summer at my nan’s in Newcastle. I trained with a bunch of football teams in the north east.

“Football took over my life that summer and I saw the passion for the game.

“I was a good player, but whether I would have made it as a hockey player? I would have had to fill out a little bit,” he smiled.

Edgar – who hails from the Canadian town of Kitchener, which boasts Lennox Lewis as a favourite son – was drafted in by Town chief Chris Powell to add some defensive resolve.

The Canadian international was part of Burnley’s midfield which gained promotion to the Premier League last year, but fell out of favour at new club Birmingham City after Gary Rowett replaced Lee Clark as manager. “This season has been strange,” Edgar continued.

“Lee Clark brought me in and showed great faith in me. I played every game, but we weren’t picking up the results I thought we deserved.

“Under the interim manager I got sent off, and when the new manager came in he brought a centre-half in on loan and, to be fair, the boys have played well.

“It was just unfortunate timing, but the manager was great there and gave me the opportunity to come to Huddersfield and play.

“It’s been an up-and-down season for me, but I really want to nail down a place, play my football and help the team do well.

“Beyond the end of the season is something you have to look at. If I do well and impress, you never know what is going to happen.

“I am here to the end of the season and that’s my focus.”

Edgar – who played in the Premier League with first club Newcastle United – could make his debut today at Wigan in a holding midfield role, but his versatility means he can also play anywhere in defence.

So what is his favoured position? “Last year I was at Burnley and played centre midfield the whole season,” he said.

“This year, at Birmingham, I came in at the beginning of the season and played centre-half.

“I prefer to play central, but feel comfortable in most positions.

“I had a fantastic time at Burnley; last season I played 
20-odd games in a promotion-winning team, but in the summer the manager said I wouldn’t be in his plans.

“I have great respect for (Clarets manager) Sean Dyche, and Burnley’s is still one of the first results I look for. I am still good friends with a bunch of the lads, a couple of them came to my wedding last summer.

“Burnley is quite a similar club to Huddersfield, a very community-orientated club.”

A move to Huddersfield needed little selling to Edgar, but he was encouraged to return north by former Town player Scott Arfield. The pair were team-mates at Turf Moor and Arfield spent three years at Town, before heading across the Pennines. “I spoke to a few people who played here, and I have yet to hear a bad thing about the club. It’s always been a good, positive community club, and it’s something which really appealed to me.

“Scott had great things to say, the way he described the people and the club. He really helped make my mind up. Everyone I spoke to said I would enjoy my time here.”

Huddersfield have struggled for wins away from home this season, losing eight out of 13 Championship trips.

But Town manager Powell is convinced Edgar’s arrival can help tighten up his midfield away from the John Smith’s Stadium.

“He gives us good versatility,” said Powell. “A player that has good pedigree, who has played in the Premier League – I have had my eye on him for a while.

“He has trained really well with us (yesterday) and I have no doubt he will be a good addition for us.

“Primarily, he has played centre-back, but also as a holding midfielder, and I have got him earmarked for those two positions. He has done that defensive midfield role well, particularly for Burnley, and that will be a good ploy for us away from home and maybe late in games, too.

“We are really happy to have him. He’s been in England for a number of years so knows how football is here.”

In a strange quirk, Edgar’s last two games at Birmingham were against Wigan and Leeds United, the same opponents in his first week at Town.

The Blues took four points from six, and a similar return for Town after today and next Saturday when Leeds visit, would be a great start to life as a Terriers player for Edgar.

“Wigan and Leeds were our last two games for Birmingham, so that’s strange,” said Edgar. “Wigan have got great quality throughout their team.

“The players they have got, the wage bill they have got, it’s a big one for the Championship.”