Baker signs one-year contract extension

Goalkeeper Zak Baker has signed a new one-year contract with Argyle.   

The 19-year-old has extended his stay with the club he supported as a boy in Redruth, and with whom he has progressed with through the centre of excellence and Academy systems.  

After his signing his first professional deal in the summer of 2023, Baker has gained experience this season with Tiverton Town of the Southern League Premier Division South. A typical week sees Zak continue to train several days at Home Park with the Pilgrims’ first-team squad, as well as linking up with Tiverton.  

“I'm buzzing [to sign a new deal],” said Zak. “I've worked hard this season and to be offered a new contract, I'm over the moon.  

“It's gone a lot faster than I expected it to. The first few months I spent as a third choice while Mike [Cooper] was still injured. I was traveling to away games and warming up at the stadium for home games. I wouldn't say it ‘dragged’, because that's probably the wrong word, but it was feeling like a long time. 

“When I got the opportunity to go out on loan in November, that's when the season started speeding up. I started playing games and I felt I improved the most as I was playing games and training every day.   

“It's been amazing. It's a great bunch of lads [at Tiverton]. There's quite a few who used to be [at Argyle] a few years ago. Results haven't been amazing. We we're quite down there at the moment, but I'm hoping we're going to do enough to stay in the league this season. 

“I will have played just shy of 30 games when the season ends for Tiverton. Getting those games in, it's just getting experience no matter what the level is. It's massive for me, especially as a goalkeeper, just getting that goalmouth experience, making saves, taking crosses, kicking well; everything I need to hopefully one day break into the first-team. 

“In goalkeeper training as well, learning off of Mike, Conor [Hazard] and Cal [Burton] every day is massive for me. Just picking up little tips really, watching them and seeing how they do it, it helps me change my game and adapt to the ways I can be the best goalie I can really, and helps me going into a Saturday when I'm playing for Tiverton.” 

Argyle first-team coach and Head of Player Development Kevin Nancekivell said: “I’m really pleased for Zak that he has signed to stay with us for another year.   

“It is a testament to him that he has shown a great attitude, worked really hard while out at Tiverton, and is improving all the time. That time he is spending playing men’s football, getting the experience of being in the thick of it, is crucial to his development.  

“He has earned himself a new contract, and now it is about him continuing all of his good traits to make himself an even better goalkeeper.”