Edwards was released by the NRL club in May after a series of off-fielf incidents.

He spent five and a half seasons with Parramatta, playing 70 games.

The 28-year-old signed with Catalans Dragons in Super League and on Saturday lifted the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley as Catalans defeated Warrington.

But Edwards admitted the Cup win in London was "bittersweet" with the Eels struggling badly and sitting bottom of the NRL.

"To get the win today is massive, but I don’t want to forget where I come from," he said.

"My coach at Parramatta, Brad Arthur, and all my boys at Parramatta they’re doing it tough at the moment, fighting to get rid of the wooden spoon. I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without those blokes.

"As happy as I am to have the win today, I say it with a heavy heart because my boys and my coach back home are doing it tough. Ideally I would still be with them in the trenches, but things happen and we have to move on. That’s what I’ve done."

After contract terminations at Manly, the Dragons and the Eels, Edwards was given a career lifeline by Catalans coach Steve McNamara.

"I’ve got a lot to thank Steve Mac for," the 28-year-old said.

"He rang me when there was a few clubs in England that were keen, he rang me and said I want to give you a chance. There’s a lot of bad press about you and all that sort of stuff, but I’ve done a lot of homework and I believe in you.

"I believe youre a person who can fit here and give us something off the bench. I said to live in the south of France would be a dream.

"I made it clear to him too, it was one of my promises that I made that I’ve come to France – not for a holiday – I’ve come here to win and to do that in the first year, bring the first-ever silverware to France, is a massive achievement for me."