Torquay United is pleased to announce that Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans have both returned to the club on loan from Bristol City.
Both players were huge hits with the Yellow Army last season, playing keys roles in helping United secure the National League South title.
Midfielder Lemonheigh-Evans, 22, has enjoyed two previous loan spells with the club, but is best remembered for his starring role as United marched towards the National League South title last season.
Manager Gary Johnson was understandably delighted to further strengthen his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Regarding Connor, Johnson said:
“Everyone knows what he offers us, if he gives us what he gave us last year then it’s a great asset to any football club.
“It was hoped, from Bristol City’s point of view, that he would get into the league, and then they thought they didn’t want him to go out because he might have been close to the first-team at Bristol City, so that’s how well he’d done.
“Connor was pretty adamant that if he wasn’t in Bristol City’s first team that he would like to come back here. He had a couple of forays away and kept thinking about us. In the end the club [Bristol City] thought that’s not a bad scenario now, because they could take him back. If he goes to a league club, they can’t get him back if they need somebody.
“He’s a top player, Connor. I’m not going to say the signing of the season, it’s probably the surprise of the season considering it’s so late. I tried to intimate that I was waiting for a couple, that I need to wait until the end of pre-season.
Connor was clearly raring to go after joining the players at training this morning.
“It’s nice to be back, it’s good to see the boys, it’s been a tough pre-season but we’re looking forward to get going and meeting some of the new lads and just get the season started now.”
Edwards, 20 also enjoyed a hugely successful spell on loan last season, and he rejoins United in time for the season opener against at home to Boreham Wood on Saturday.
“He went to America, to Florida with Bristol City, and evidently had a fantastic pre-season there, played in the games and Lee [Bristol City manager Lee Johnson] was really impressed with him. They want him to keep playing at these types of competitive games because he did so well, and that’s why again they get the chance after 28 days to call him back if they needed to. Again, they’d rather he’s involved rather than not involved with the games. I’m looking forward to seeing a race between Duku [forward Manny Duku] and Opi because that will be fun.”
Like Connor, Opi can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really ready to get back, like Connor said we’ve had a hard pre-season, the players here look good, they look ready to go so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Welcome back lads!
The moves are subject FA clearance.