Rob Edwards says his decision to leave Middlesbrough was "one of the toughest" of his career, but that he would not have left for any club but Wolves.

Edwards was announced as Wolves' new head coach on Wednesday, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal at the club where he played between 2004 and 2008 and also served as an interim manager.

However, he left Middlesbrough just over five months after taking charge in June, having guided the club up to second in the Championship.

Edwards left after just 15 games in the second division, with his decision to swap Boro for Wolves, who are bottom of the Premier League without a win, greeted by backlash.

However, the 42-year-old explained that the chance to be in the dugout at Wolves was one that he could not turn down.

"This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career," Edwards said in a statement on Instagram. "In truth, I wouldn't have considered leaving Middlesbrough for any other club.

"Wolves is a special club for me. It's where I grew as both a player and a coach; it's still where my family calls home. It has always been my dream to come back, and these opportunities do not come around too often.

"Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad. It is a great group of players that I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success this season.

"I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly – the players, the staff, and the fans, who drive it all.

"I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond."

Edwards takes over at Wolves with the club on two points in the Premier League, and currently eight points from safety after losing their last four matches.

Wolves remain winless in the Premier League this season (D2 L9), with this just their second league campaign in club history to see them fail to win any of their opening 11 games after 1983-84, a season during which they were relegated from the top-flight.

Edwards' first game in charge will be at home to Crystal Palace on November 22.