Leyton Orient: Unknown Premier League import helped deliver silverware | OneFootball

An unknown loan signing was brought in to deal with injuries was key in the O's promotion battle.

In January 2023, Leyton Orient were beginning to look over their shoulder.

Having enjoyed an incredible start to the season which saw them top League Two going into the New Year, some slight doubts were beginning to creep in.

They had just beaten Doncaster Rovers for their first win in four League Two games but began to suffer severe injury casualties with star centre-back Dan Happe being forced off after 18 minutes during a trip to promotion rivals Northampton Town.

The O's needed defensive additions fast once they entered the January window and turned to a name unknown to the Football League at the time.

Ed Turns was highly rated at Brighton

Defender Ed Turns built up a great reputation while working his way through the academy system at Brighton.

Turns joined the club at the age of 12 and, having come up through the youth ranks, eventually made his senior debut by starting in the Seagull's 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Swansea City in September 2021.

Later that season, he received his first call-up for the Wales U21 squad and by September, was given the captaincy of the Young Dragons.

At the time of joining the O's in January 2023, he had only made a couple of senior appearances but was respected enough from his time on the youth scene for Orient to take a gamble on the then-20-year-old.

Turns joined the O's at a precarious time

Although from the outside looking in it seemed it was the perfect moment for Turns, it was far from that in reality.

Happe's injury against the Cobblers essentially ruled him out for the rest of the campaign, with manager Richie Wellens stating: "He's probably going to be done for the season, and we're all gutted. In his time with me, he's turned from a boy to a man. This is another chance to build his resilience."

In the same match, Omar Beckles received a red card in second half injury time, ruling him out for the next three games. That meant that Turns was forced to go straight into the side and start against Barrow the day after his arrival was officially announced.

The O's managed to scrape by with a 0-0 draw, but the following weeks saw poor defeats against title rivals Stevenage as well as Tranmere Rovers.

This led to Orient bringing in another defender, this time experienced Scotsman Jamie McCart on loan from Rotherham United.

Ed Turns found form in a more settled defence

With Beckles returning to the side, it was inevitable that the side would prosper with a more consistent and settled backline.

The O's returned to winning ways with key wins against Wimbledon and Crewe, the latter where Turns scored his first professional goal and was named man of the match.

Those wins started a long unbeaten run which would continue until mid-April and, ironically, would end in the game where the O's secured promotion back to League One.

Turns was a key part of the backline, starting eleven consecutive matches at one point during a tough run of fixtures and helping keep eight clean sheets during his time with Orient.

Going back to Brighton as a promotion winner, Turns ended up rejoining the club on loan the following season but unfortunately couldn't replicate his form at a higher level - dropping back down to League Two with Crewe for the second half of the 2023/24 season.

Turns will always be remembered fondly in E10 for the impact he had and the quality he showed, as the O's may not have achieved promotion and be where they are now without his contributions.