Whitecaps sign Canadian international Edgar to 18-month contract

Vancouver Whitecaps signed free-agent defender David Edgar to an 18-month contract Monday, bringing the Canadian international back home following a roundabout journey in England.

Edgar left his home in Kitchener, Ont., to join Newcastle United's academy as a 14-year-old in 2001, and scored against Manchester United on his Premier League debut in January 2007. But he only made 23 appearances with the Magpies, and hopped around the English tiers with Burnley, Swansea City, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, and most recently Sheffield United.

"I'm delighted to sign for Whitecaps FC and especially to be back in Canada," Edgar said in a statement. "After all my years in England, it has always been in my plans to come and be a part of MLS. I'm very excited for this next step in my career and to be part of a fantastic organization like Whitecaps FC."

The 29-year-old had been training with the Whitecaps for month as manager Carl Robinson mulled over a potential deal.

Edgar has enjoyed some consistency on the international stage for Canada, starting in 34 of his 37 appearances with Les Rouges. He captained his country's past two outings against Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.