Baker delighted to sign new two-year contract with City
NATHAN Baker has agreed a new deal to stay at Bristol City, penning a two-year contract ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
He now joins Andi Weimann and Danny Simpson in agreeing deals to stay in BS3, as well as new recruit Matty James, as manager Nigel Pearson builds his squad during pre-season.
The centre-back has made 133 appearances over two spells with the Robins, which included an initial loan period during the 2015-16 season.
Baker told Robins TV: “I’m very happy. I know the potential of the club, I know the club itself, where it should be, where we’re aiming so I hope to be a part of it.
“It (the decision) was pretty easy. I always wanted to stay here, I know the potential under the new gaffer, the new staff and hopefully we can push forward towards that.”
He added: “I want to make more positive memories.”
After his loan spell in 2015-16, Baker returned to Ashton Gate permanently from Aston Villa in August 2017, scoring on his second City debut in a 5-0 win over Plymouth Argyle. He went on to feature in the famous 2-1 win over Manchester United as part of the Carabao Cup run, before pushing Manchester City close in the semifinal.
He scored his first league goal for the club in a 3-3 draw away to Preston North End in September 2019 but injuries impacted the defender last term, limiting him to just three appearances in the latter stages of the 2020-21 season.
Now the defender is keen to come back stronger for the new challenge ahead. Baker said: “It feels like a fresh start for me. I hope to tackle it head
on and
see what I can do this season. I had the aim of playing as many games as possible but last pre-season took those plans away. I’ve made small steps, small goals and I ticked off a few games at the end of last season and hopefully I can crack on this season.”
City. meanwhile, have confirmed Andy King is training with the club on a non-contract basis.
The 32-year-old former Leicester and Wales midfielder, who is a free agent, linked up with the squad yesterday morning for the first day of pre-season training at the Robins High Performance Centre.
King made more than 300 appearances for Leicester before having a short spell at Belgium club OH Leuven.