NINE YEARS after turning his back on the army and taking a gamble on leaving his native Caribbean, Carlos Edwards will fulfil a long-standing dream next season by embarking on a different battle front - the Premiership.

As a teenager, the Sunderland winger was a member of the Trinidad & Tobago defence force and would regularly catch the eye for their football team, with many insisting he should pursue a career in England.

After spending a three week trial at Wrexham, Edwards impressed sufficiently to be handed a contract in North Wales, where Brian Flynn was the manager.

He was later joined by Hector Sam and another Trinidadian, Dennis Lawrence, has since followed the same path. It has developed into something of a trend in towns such as Port of Spain.

In Edwards' case his days of going on pursuits and exercises with the Trinidad & Tobago army are well and truly behind him. Taking aim has proven to have a slightly different meaning for the 28-year-old.

After becoming one of Wrexham's leading lights during his five years at the Racecourse Ground, he was given a chance to play at a higher level when Luton Town snapped him up in 2005.

Two years at Kenilworth Road, where he celebrated winning the Championship with Sunderland on Sunday, and Edwards' quick feet on the flanks alerted Roy Keane. At £1.4m he has proved something of a steal since his January transfer.

Edwards has developed into one of the leading lights in Sunderland's charge to the Premiership.

And, having earned the opportunity to become a late comer to the English top-flight the hard way, Edwards is not about to allow the chance to pass him by quickly.

He turns 29 in October and he is revelling in the situation and anticipates a campaign to remember.

"When I was in the army I was scouted and my agent got me over to Wrexham," said Edwards. "I was a full-time solider but I have never looked back since impressing Brian Flynn. Look where I am now."

In his short spell at the Stadium of Light he has scored five goals in 15 appearances. He regards his stunning 25-yard drive that clinched three points against Burnley as his most memorable.

Succeeding in the Championship, however, does not suffice for the Soca Warrior and he has all intentions of repeating his Football League heroics at the highest level come August.

Edwards realises Keane will be working hard on suitable transfer targets this summer, with competition for all places likely to increase. The right-midfielder, though, is not about to stand aside and let new recruits take charge.

"I haven't kicked a ball in the Premiership yet," said Edwards. "But just the thought of the first game of the new season is exciting; the thought of running out in the Premiership is unbelievable.

"It was always my dream to play in the Premiership, just as it was always my dream to play at the World Cup. I have done that, now I will realise another dream. I can't believe how things have gone really.

"It's going to be a reality and I'm looking forward to it so much. To be honest, at one point I did say 'I will just have to settle for the Championship' as the highest level that I play in club football.

"But I always keep a positive mindset and look where it has led me - here to Sunderland and into the Premiership."

Since paying the £1m-plus transfer fee for Edwards, Keane has been hugely impressed by the player's attitude and ability to settle in quickly.

It was his smooth transition from Luton to Sunderland that proved to be the benefit of the Wearside outfit, while the Hatters failed to cope in his absence and suffered relegation into League One prior to his return to his old ground on Sunday.

Keane has regularly praised Edwards for his contribution to the promotion push and he said: "I'm delighted that the manager (Keane) has said those words about me.

"He bought me and brought me to the club so he must see my qualities.

"I know my qualities but to know he likes them gives you great confidence."