'We're serious': Rob Edwards insists Andre contract signals Wolves' Championship intent

Rob Edwards believes midfielder Andre’s new four year contract shows Wolves are serious about bouncing straight back to the Premier League next season.

Andre was one of a number of high profile players who fans expected to see exit the club this summer.

However, they were left surprised on Friday when the club confirmed Andre had committed his future to Wolves following relegation, signing a new four year contract until 2030.

Chairman Nathan Shi confirmed that talks have been ongoing for some time - and Edwards has hailed Andre for committing to the club for next season.

He said: “Andre’s a great guy and is incredibly professional – he's a dream to work with. He’s grown into a leader and will continue to do that, the more he's around the football club. This is a big step for him, because he’ll be experienced in England and will know how important a player he is for us.

“He's an excellent footballer, technically he's really, really good. He's got really high potential, we’ve seen it in the Premier League, and it's exciting that we can have him in the Championship. We can't disrespect the level, because we know how difficult it is as well, but he's certainly going to look a good player.

“He's a really important player for us. He's stressed all along that he has a desire to stay and help us, and I think he's been showing that in his performances anyway. I’ve got a really good relationship with Andre, and I think he really enjoys it here. It's obviously been a difficult season, but he wants to help the football club, so it’s hugely positive news.

“We've had lots of conversations, and he wants to be sure that we're going to be building a strong team and that's what we want to do, and I think this shows our intent, this is the start of what I hope is a really positive summer for us.

“If your best players, the people that you want to keep around, are willing to stay and to fight, then it shows we're serious. Continuity is important, but we want people who want to be here as well, and Andre is showing is a real commitment.”

The midfielder has played 74 times for Wolves since his arrival - helping the club survive in the Premier League.

His second season has been a more difficult one - but despite Wolves’ demise the midfielder had been reportedly attracting the interest of other clubs.

Technical director Matt Jackson explained how Andre is a ‘man of his word’ having given his commitment to Wolves.

He said: “It’s brilliant that he's bought into the project, it's a brilliant commitment from him, and it shows the intentions around the quality of player that we want to have at the football club.

“He went on record early saying that he had that commitment to stay, and he's a man of his word.”