CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Tuesday the club had acquired defender Michael Edwards on loan from the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Edwards joined Colorado as a Homegrown Player in 2021 and was re-signed to a new deal with the Rapids this past offseason. The center back has split time between the First Team and reserve team Rapids 2 during his tenure with the organization. Edwards has made seven appearances with the first team and 43 appearances with Rapids 2 in MLS NEXT Pro since 2021.

Edwards also competed for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on loan from 2021 to 2022, featuring in 34 matches in the USL Championship regular season and playoffs while helping the Switchbacks reach the Western Conference Final of the 2022 postseason.

“Michael is a very strong and experienced center back, he has had tremendous success in USL Championship and MLS,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He is aggressive and physical, and has a good ability to advance the ball. We are very excited for him to join our group.”

Prior to Colorado, Edwards was part of German club VfL Wolfsburg, where he played for their U-19 and II teams from 2019 to 2021. Edwards made 17 appearances with Wolfsburg II and helped them win the 2018-19 Regionalliga Nord title.

“Michael has a good balance of aggression and calmness, physicality and finesse,” added Pirmann. “These are good combinations to help our defensive corps while we have suffered injuries. With his experiences and his willingness to work hard for the club, Michael will help our team right away.”