Edwards joins Pirates

The 27-year-old becomes Pirates boss Ray Graydon's third summer signing, having completed the signatures of striker Junior Agogo from Conference side Barnet and midfielder David Savage from Oxford United.

Welshman Edwards has been the subject of possible moves to Wimbledon and Northampton Town but both deals, in the end, failed to materialise.

He spent time on loan last season with Tranmere Rovers and Oxford United and had become surplus to requirements at Forest, whom he joined from Swansea City in March 1998 for £275,000.

The City Ground club were prepared to let the stopper leave on a free transfer, despite still having a year to run on his deal with Paul Hart's side.

Edwards has agreed to join the Memorial Stadium club and Graydon is delighted to have added the defender to his West Country squad.

"I tried to sign Christian when I was manager of Walsall, as I felt he was a good First Division player," Graydon told the club's official website.

"He's played at the highest level, for Nottingham Forest, though because of their decision to play the younger members of their squad last season, he didn't really feature for them and spent time on loan, at Tranmere and Oxford.

"I know that other clubs, in higher divisions, were keen to sign him, so I am delighted that he has chosen to join Bristol Rovers.

"He's a lad who missed much of the last few months of last season and who is desperate to kick start his career and, what's more, he wants to play for this football club."