Four-time Henderson Medallist Jarrod Edwards has decided to leave Redan ahead of the coming Red Onion Ballarat Football League season.

It closes a seven-year career at the L&H Lions that has included four premierships and six club best and fairest awards.

“We’re disappointed to see him go but he has been a loyal player with the club and if he feels he needs to make a fresh start then we can only support him,” Redan chairman Darryl Blomeley said yesterday.

“He has given his all to the club and is the most awarded player in the club’s history. In my memory he would have to be the greatest player I’ve seen in a Redan jumper.

“He will always be welcome at the club whether it be socially or with some other role in the future.”

Edwards said he was looking for leadership opportunities that weren’t available at Redan this season.

The 33-year-old has been pursued by a number of clubs from the Central Highlands Football League as well as the BFL over the summer.

He said he was close to making a decision about a new home and insisted money would not be the decisive factor.

“I hope to be able to announce something before the end of the week about a new home,” Edwards said.

“There was no bidding war and it’s not about money. I want to be more than just a player now. I want to gain some more knowledge from a footy side and the role at Redan is not what I was after.

“I leave Redan with the utmost respect for the club.”

gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au