As the Championship season was beginning, Middlesbrough realized they needed an extra defender to help boost a back line that was littered with injuries. They were looking for a veteran presence who could be physical, no-nonsense, and durable. It did not look like they would be able to find that defender until the Deadline Day of the summer transfer window.
On Deadline Day, Middlesbrough secured a literal last-minute season-long loan for George Edmundson. Has Edmundson been all the club hoped for? Can he help Middlesbrough realize their ambitions?
Who is George Edmundson?
George Edmundson is a central defender who has worked his way up the English football ladder. He started at Oldham Athletic in their academy and worked his way up to Ipswich Town in 2021. Edmundson was part of Ipswich Town’s magic run-up from League One to the Premier League in the last couple of seasons. As stated above, he agreed to a season long loan to Middlesbrough over the summer.
Edmundson has been an excellent addition to the Middlesbrough defence this season. He has been one of the incredibly consistent parts of Michael Carrick’s side. Not only has he been a great veteran presence, but he’s given Middlesbrough an extra bit of physicality and backbone as other defenders have dealt with injuries.
Edmundson has even scored a goal this season. So, it is no shock that a recent report suggests that Middlesbrough is hoping to make the tenacious defender’s deal a permanent one.
Would a Permanent Deal be Ideal?
Since Edmundson has been so consistent and reliable this season, it certainly feels like a no-brainer that Middlesbrough would want to keep him long-term. If that were to happen, Edmundson would be following in the footsteps of Luke Ayling who joined Middlesbrough on a permanent deal over the summer after spending last season on loan from Leeds United.
With Edmundson’s contract at Ipswich Town ending after this season, there has been mutual interest in a long-term deal between Middlesbrough and Edmundson since he came to Teeside.
Edmundson has been an instant impact player, but can he contribute to the club if they are to realize the lofty ambitions Middlesbrough seeks? There certainly are some qualities that suggest that Edmunson can be an excellent clubhouse leader and motivator at Middlesbrough.
Although he might be an older player, he plays like he is still in his early twenties and has proven to be very durable and free of injury concerns. If that plus his excellent physical attributes can continue to thrive, then there is certainly optimism about him thriving as a permanent signing.
With Middlesbrough’s recent record of not being able to retain loan players that succeed such as Chubba Akpom and Cameron Archer, the capture of Edmundson on a permanent deal would be massive.
While Edmundson does not have the massive pedigree of Archer or Akpom, getting him would certainly show the Middlesbrough faithful that their club means business.