I’m joining a club on the up - Baker

Friday, July 28th 2017

Nathan Baker says he is joining a club “on the up” after securing a return to Ashton Gate.

The central defender has ended his 13-year association with Aston Villa to return permanently to City, the club he joined on loan for the entire 2015/16 campaign.

Speaking in an exclusive BCTV interview, Baker insisted the decision to move on from the club he joined as a 13-year-old was an “easy” one.

He told the club’s in-house TV channel: “I’m delighted to come back.

“When Bristol City put the offer in it made me feel good about myself again.

“I spent a long time of my career at Villa but it feels like the right time to move on with Bristol City.

“It helps that I know the club already, but the main thing for me is the potential of the club – it was an easy decision for me.”

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He added: “I feel it’s a club on the up. The potential of the club is huge and I want to be part of it.

“I want to play as many games as possible and help the club get into the Premier League.

“I loved the loan spell here; I got to play games regularly and that’s what I want to do again.

“The more experience you can get, the more you can help the team. I was pleased with the number of games I played for Villa last season and hopefully I can pass that experience on here.”

WHAT HE SAID

“I spent a long time of my career at Villa but it feels like the right time to move on with Bristol City."

New signing Nathan Baker

Baker’s first arrival at Ashton Gate to begin his loan spell was less than two years ago – but even in the short period since, the Worcester-born defender admits plenty has changed.

“When I first came here the stadium was half-built and it’s nice to see it complete,” Baker added.

“I came here last season (with Villa). I saw the stadium; obviously there’s a lot of new staff here and new players as well.

“There are still some familiar faces from my time here on loan as well though!”