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David Edgar returns to Forge FC as assistant coach
Canadian Premier League

David Edgar is coming back to Steeltown.

Forge FC announced Thursday that the recently-retired Edgar – two-time CPL champion with the club – is returning as an assistant coach, working alongside head coach Bobby Smyrniotis.

Edgar, a native of Kitchener, Ont., made 25 appearances for Forge after first signing in August 2019. The former Canadian national team captain and English Premier League standout helped shore up Hamilton’s defence en route to a win in the 2019 CPL Finals, creating an impressive centre-back pairing with fellow club stalwart Daniel Krutzen. The 33-year-old went on to contribute to Forge’s Island Games triumph and its historic run in Concacaf League last Fall.

“David’s strong bond with our organization, including our roster and staff, coupled with his commitment to developing as a coach in his post-playing career makes this a perfect fit,” Smyrniotis said. “We’re excited to bring him back as a member of our coaching staff and to continue to build the foundation of sustained success here in Hamilton.”

Edgar first revealed his decision to retire with CanPL.ca, saying he continued to feel ill effects of a knee injury he suffered in December 2016. His final game came last December when Forge fell 1-0 to Honduran side Marathon.


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Edgar made 42 senior international appearances for Canada (37 starts), including the 2013 and 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup squads, registering four goals and three assists. The 6-2, 190-pound native of Kitchener, Ontario also has a rich history at the youth international level having represented Canada at the U-17 and U-20 level including the 2003, 2005 and 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup. In 2006, he was honoured as Canadian U-20 male Player of the Year by Canada Soccer.

At the age of 14, Edgar joined Newcastle United’s academy. He went on to log more than a decade in the English leagues with the likes of Newcastle United (2006-09), Burnley FC (2009-14), Swansea City (on loan 2009-10), Birmingham City (2014-15) and Sheffield United (2015-16). Edgar has made over 220 appearances and posted 10 goals in England’s top divisions. He went on to play in Major League Soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps (2016-17) and in the United Soccer League with Nashville SC (2018) and Ottawa Fury (2018) before returning to England with Hartlepool United in the National League (2018-19).