'Deal done' - Charlton Athletic to beat Bristol Rovers and Barnsley to transfer

Charlton Athletic are reported to have beaten League One rivals Bristol Rovers and Barnsley to the signing of Dunfermline Athletic left-back Josh Edwards in a statement transfer move.

The Addicks have been competing with their third tier rivals for the 24-year-old and the Scottish Championship side accepted offers from both Charlton Athletic and the Gas, allowing the clubs to enter into contract negotiations with the defender.

How much those accepted bids are remains to be seen but earlier reports suggested that the fee will fall just short of the six-figure asking price set out by Dunfermline Athletic.

The Bristol Post now reports that the race to Edwards' signature is over with a contract agreement made with Nathan Jones' side at The Valley. The outlet reports that the London outfit made the player a better wage offer than Bristol Rovers and that the Scotsman has accepted the deal.

It had been expected that the Addicks would tie up the deal in a matter of days at one point last month but the dual negotiation on potential contracts may have seen the transfer race drag on into June.

Edwards made 42 appearances for Dunfermline Athletic last season, bagging four goals and nine assists from defence as the club finished sixth in the Scottish second division. Beating League One rivals to his signature looks to be a major coup for Charlton Athletic ahead of a season where the club hopes to be fighting at the other end of the table under Jones.

Edwards has just one year left on his contract in Scotland with the club looking to cash in before he could leave on a free transfer in 12 months time. The versatile defender is primarily a left-back but can also play on the wing, as well as in central defence.

Dunfermline rejected a bid from Barnsley in January but promised Edwards that they would green-light a move when the time was right. The defender joined the Fifers in 2019 from Airdrie and is a key part of the side.

In February, Dunfermline boss James McPake said: “A bid was knocked back from the club, but that was a worry right up until [the transfer deadline] last Thursday. We know how important he is and the club were great with that; David [Cook, CEO], the board. It was quite a simple decision for them.

“Obviously, if a daft bid comes in then of course it gets looked at – but by daft I mean a high bid. For what Josh is worth to us and what he can do, the club knocked that back. It shows real intent from them as well.

“Keeping Josh was very important, for what he does in the team. He could get injured, that’s just the way football is, but a player of his profile is really hard to find. And the way he plays that left-wing/left wing-back role, I don’t see many like that out there.

“It was very important we kept him. He’s performing at a really high level. I’ve said to him, the moves will come for him. If he keeps doing what he’s doing for us, he’ll go and have a fantastic career because he’s doing everything right."