Ronnie Lee Edwards (born 28 March 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Queens Park Rangers and the England U21 national team.
Edwards began his career with Barnet before earning a move to Peterborough United in 2020. In his first season, Peterborough won promotion to the Championship. In the following season, Edwards became a regular starter for the club, winning the Player of the Season award. In the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Edwards was a member of the Peterborough team that won the EFL Trophy as well as winning the League One Young Player of the Season award. His form earned him a ã3 million move to Premier League side Southampton. He joined Queens Park Rangers on loan in January 2025.
Edwards has represented England at youth level, winning the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He has also played for England at under-20 level.
Edwards joined Barnet at the age of nine, and progressed through the club's academy, captaining the under-18s. Aged sixteen, he made his senior debut when he captained a young Bees side in a Middlesex Senior Cup game against Staines Town on 17 December 2019. Four days later he made his league debut as a late substitute against Maidenhead United. He made five appearances for the Bees in the 2019âÂÂ20 season.
He joined Peterborough United after a successful trial against Peterborough Sports in August 2020. He made his debut on 8 September 2020 in the EFL Trophy against Burton Albion.
Edwards made his full league debut on 15 December 2020 in a 1âÂÂ1 draw away to Milton Keynes Dons.
The 2021âÂÂ22 season saw Edwards establish himself in the first-team picture. Although the club suffered relegation from the Championship, the season proved a success on an individual level, winning four awards at the club's end of season awards, including the Player of the Season.
Edwards was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month for January 2024, registering his 100th league start for the club in the same month. He was a member of the Peterborough side that won the 2023âÂÂ24 EFL Trophy, starting in the final at Wembley Stadium.
On 3 July 2024, Edwards joined Premier League club Southampton on a four-year contract for a reported ã3 million. He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2024 in a 5âÂÂ3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup. On 4 December 2024, Edwards made his Premier League debut in a 5âÂÂ1 home defeat against Chelsea after he replaced James Bree in the 78th minute.
On 1 January 2025, Edwards joined Championship club Queens Park Rangers on loan for the remainder of the 2024âÂÂ25 season. He made his first appearance for the club in a 2âÂÂ1 victory against Luton Town on 6 January 2025 after replacing Jonathan Varane in the 61st minute. On 14 February 2025, Edwards scored his first goal for the club in a 4âÂÂ0 victory against Derby County.
On 9 January 2026, Edwards joined Queens Park Rangers permanently for an undisclosed fee.
Edwards was called up to a training camp with the England U19 national team in May 2021. In October 2021, he was called up to the full U19 squad for the friendly Marbella Cup tournament and made his debut during a 3âÂÂ1 defeat against France.
On 17 June 2022, Edwards was included in the England U19 squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He started in the final as England won the tournament with a 3âÂÂ1 extra time victory over Israel on 1 July 2022.
On 21 September 2022, Edwards made his England U20 debut during a 3âÂÂ0 victory over Chile at the Pinatar Arena. On 10 May 2023, Edwards was included in the England squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He started all four of their games at the tournament including the round of sixteen defeat against Italy.
On 21 March 2025, Edwards made his England U21 debut during a 5âÂÂ3 defeat to France in Lorient. He was included in the England squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Edwards was an unused substitute in the final as England defeated Germany to win the tournament.
Peterborough United
England U19
England U21
Individual