Edmondson says it was a 'no-brainer' to join Cobblers despite interest from other clubs

Ryan Edmondson has explained why the decision to join Cobblers on loan was a 'no-brainer' despite plenty of other clubs also showing an interest in his signature.

The 19-year-old, who recently signed a new three-year deal with parent club Leeds United, spent the first half of the season on loan at Aberdeen but returned to Elland Road earlier in the month.

Aberdeen were keen to extend his loan until the end of the campaign while Bradford City, Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth were all understood to be interested in his services.

But Edmondson opted to sign a loan deal with the Cobblers for a number of reasons, one of which was Keith Curle's long-standing admiration of him. It is not the first time the Town boss has tried to sign the teenage striker.

"Northampton are a big club and League One is a good standard of football," said Edmondson, who will wear the number 26 shirt. "I spoke with the gaffer a few times and he told me his intentions and I was really happy with that he said. Hopefully I can come down here and help the club.

"The interest from before sticks in your head. The clubs sort of go round in your head and you think about where the best option is and with the terms that Northampton had put on the table, and the fact they had been consistent with their interest and they had monitored me and taken a close look at me, it made it an easier decision.

"They really care about you as a player and your development and that's a major part of it. It stuck in my head the whole time so when we knew the offer was still on the table after coming back down from Aberdeen, it was a no-brainer."

Whilst he enjoyed his first proper taste of men's football with Aberdeen, Edmondson admitted he felt disappointed not to play more after managing only three league starts.

"It was a new experience," he added. "Going up on loan as a 19-year-old lad in the Scottish Premier League, against teams like Rangers and Celtic, it's a really tough challenge.

"But I really enjoyed the football there and it was all a learning curve. Aberdeen was a great club with a great setup and the coaching staff were all amazing but I didn't really get the game-time I wanted so it wasn't the move for me.

"I think I'm at a crucial part of my career now where I need to be playing and I felt it was the right decision to go back to Leeds and consider my options.

"There's a big picture to consider but what I've got to focus on is the present and the here and now. I've come to Northampton to try and help the club and help myself to develop a platform.

"I want to come here, play regularly, play well, score goals and do the best I can do. If that helps me get towards Leeds' first-team in the future, that would be amazing."