Loosehead prop Shiells joined the GUINNESS PRO12 side from English outfit Bath on Friday after penning a 19-month deal.
The Melrose-born 25-year-old started his career at Kelso RFC but spent five years with Newcastle Falcons before moving to the Rec over the summer.
Shiells has represented Scotland at U19, U20 and A level and acknowledged that he is eagerly anticipating a return north of the border.
The front rower could make his debut against Cardiff Blues next Sunday and is confident he can bring particular skills to the Edinburgh squad.
"Hopefully that'll be in the shape of my scrummaging - I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in, really," he said.
"Edinburgh was the team that I grew up supporting so I'm looking forward to joining the squad.
"When I was younger, I used to enjoy watching Todd Blackadder - a big, impressive ball carrier - and more recently, Fordy [Ross Ford]. Obviously he's a Kelso boy too, and I looked up to him.
"I knew Michael Tait and Fraser McKenzie from Newcastle and then there's Grant Gilchrist and Rambo [Stuart McInally] who I played alongside at Scotland U20 level."
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