Lewis Baker has signed a new three-year contract to remain at Stoke City until June 2025.
Baker began his career initially as part of Luton Town’s youth set-up before switching to Chelsea aged 9, where he graduated through the Blues’ Academy and Reserves and received his first-team debut as a substitute for Oscar in a Third Round win at Derby in 2014-15 FA Cup.
First-team chances at Stamford Bridge however failed to materialise as the midfielder enjoyed loans at Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Vitesse Arnhern, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Reading, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Trabzonspor between 2014-21 seasons.
Baker however received a reprieve at Chelsea this season under Thomas Tuchel despite making just one senior appearance, which came as a 59th minute substitute for Andreas Christiansen in a 5-1 Third Round victory over Chesterfield at home in the FA Cup in January.
Stoke soon afterwards decided to sign the 27 year-old on an initial two-and-a-half year contract, with Baker going on to contribute eight goals and two assists in 21 appearances in the second-half of the season as Michael O’Neill’s Potters finished 14th in the Championship.
The Potters consequently have moved to secure Baker’s services for one further season than originally contracted, with a fresh three-year deal which he was “really happy” to sign after enjoying what he described as a “fantastic” period after struggling for game time at previous English clubs.
Speaking to Stoke City+ about his decision to commit himself to a fresh contract, Baker said: “Everybody has been very welcoming and it’s a place where I can see a future and hopefully that future is with everybody in the Premier League.
“Since the first day I came in and spoke to everyone, I really felt at home here and with everyone’s vision of where they see the Club, it kind of aligns with mine and the project of where we want to get to and what type of team we want to be.
“It is very appealing and like I say, hopefully we can be in the Premier League with that.”
O’Neill added that he was impressed at how Baker settled into the first-team quickly with great consistency in his performances.
Commenting on the impact that Baker’s goal contributions has had on the team, O’Neill said: “He became a very important player for us in a short space of time and I’m delighted he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Club by signing a new contract.”
Leave a Reply