Former Forge FC defender David Edgar joins CPL champion’s coaching staff

HAMILTON — Former Canadian international David Edgar, who retired as a Forge FC player in December, has joined the Canadian Premier League team’s staff as an assistant coach.

The 33-year-old centre back from Kitchener, Ont., made 28 appearances for the Hamilton side, including 21 in CPL play and seven CONCACAF League matches.

Edgar was part of Forge’s back-to-back CPL championship teams in 2019 and 2020.

“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,” Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge’s head coach and technical director, said in a statement.

“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.”

Forge announced in March that assistant coach Peter Reynders would not be back for the 2021 season, saying he was returning to his native Belgium for family reasons.

Reynders was Smyrniotis’ first addition to Forge’s technical staff in March 2019.

Edgar, who won 42 caps for Canada from 2011 to 2018, joined Newcastle United’s academy at the age of 14 and went on to play in Britain for Newcastle, Burnley, Swansea City, Birmingham City and Sheffield United.

He also played in Major League Soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps and in the United Soccer League with Nashville SC and the Ottawa Fury.

The CPL has yet to announce a start date for its third season but says it will go ahead.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2021

The Canadian Press