Born in Liverpool, Edwards started a two-year scholarship with Blackburn Rovers in 2010. He was captain of the Blackburn squad that reached the final of the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup.[3] Following this, in May 2012, Edwards signed his first professional contract on a two-year deal.[4]
Despite being determined to make a breakthrough under the management of Gary Bowyer,[5] Edwards was among sixteen players to be released by the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[6]
Loan moves
On 2 July 2012, Edwards joined League Two side Rochdale on a six-month loan.[7] He made his Rochdale debut in the first round of the League Cup, in a 4–3 loss against Barnsley.[8] and he also made his league debut, in the opening game of the season, in a goalless draw against Northampton Town.[9] Having made 26 league appearances for Rochdale, Edwards returned to his parent club after the club's management decided not to extend his loan spell.[10]
Following his time at Rochdale, Edwards had been linked to sign on loan for the second half of the season.[11] On 21 February 2013, he joined Fleetwood Town on a one-month loan.[12] He made his debut for the club two days later, in a 2–0 loss against Aldershot Town.[13] After making four appearances for the club, his loan spell with Fleetwood Town was extended until the end of the season.[14] Edward went on to make nine appearances for the club before returning to Blackburn Rovers.
On 24 July 2013, Edwards joined Chesterfield on a one-month loan deal.[15] Upon the move, the club's first-team coach Keith Lynch believed Edwards could be a "good asset".[16] Edwards made a starting debut for the club in the opening game of the season, a 2–0 win over Bury.[17] His performances throughout the pre-season and at the start of the season led to Chesterfield extending Edwards' loan spell for two months.[18] Edwards featured less in the first team, and then on 24 October 2013 he returned to Ewood Park.[19]
On 28 November 2013, Edwards joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until 29 December 2013;[20] however, he made his only appearance for the club in the second round of the FA Cup, in a 5–0 defeat to Peterborough United.[21] After his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers came to an end,[22] manager Ronnie Moore explained his decision not including Edwards, stating: "It is not ideal for a young kid to be coming into the side with the way we are playing at the moment."[23]
Morecambe
On 21 March 2014, Edwards joined League Two side Morecambe on a one-month youth loan.[24] The next day, he made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Northampton Town.[25] Edwards' seven appearances for the club led, on 24 April 2014, to the extension of his loan stay with the Shrimps until the end of the 2013–14 season.[26] He went on to make nine appearances for the club.
After a successful loan spell at the Globe Arena towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Edwards signed a two-year deal after being released by Blackburn Rovers on 19 May 2014;[27] however, at the start of the season, Edwards fractured his fingers in a friendly match, which kept him out for two months.[28] Throughout August, Edwards started to maintain his fitness after surgery.[29] Edwards' first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis, as well as coming from injury, came in a goalless draw against Cheltenham Town on 6 September 2014.[30] Edwards continued to be in the first team, although he spent six games on the substitutes bench.
Edwards was sent off on 7 March 2015, in a 3–2 win over Luton Town.[31] After making his return against Shrewsbury Town on 17 March 2015,[32] he provided an assist for Kevin Ellison in a 1–1 draw against Accrington Stanley on 3 April 2015.[33] Edwards ended his first full season at Morecambe with 31 appearances after suffering a back injury.[34]
Edwards scored his first career goal in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth on 16 August 2016.[35]
Plymouth Argyle
On 13 June 2017, Plymouth Argyle announced Edwards as their third signing of the summer, from Morecambe.[36]
He was offered a new contract by Plymouth Argyle at the end of the 2018–19 season.[37]
Blackpool
On 14 June 2019, Edwards signed a two-year contract with Blackpool,[38] marking a return to his native North West.
He made his debut for the Seasiders in their opening fixture of the 2019–20 season, a 2–0 victory over Bristol Rovers at Bloomfield Road.
^"Retained list". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Loan Latest". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Shrimps sign four". Morecambe F.C. 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Edwards Sidelined". Morecambe F.C. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Ryan Edwards Injury Update". Morecambe F.C. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)