Supposedly, this guys been offered a 2 year deal, pending international clearance. Don't know if it's suitable to create a forum right now since there isn't a legitimate source but here I go anyway.
Judd Baker (Swansea City U18)
The contract was offered on the 10th of July.
Good effort where was he playing before asb youth?
Just school fair play to him would have never of picked it ...
Judd Baker: NZ Under -19 Secondary Schools 2013 tour of UK and Ireland. East Coast Bays Nike Cup team.
Looks like he's walked straight out of an episode of Geordie Shore :)
Well played by him though. Good stuff. Is there a Swansea connection?
There's a few photos of him training with Swansea on his Instagram account, plus one of him dressed as a cowboy and, well, I'll let you look for yourself...
http://instagram.com/juddbaker#
I love the internet.
See one with him and Winnie Reid lower down the page, NZ roots boyeeeee
Couple of pretty dodgy ones in there to be fair
Where does he play?
Looks like he's walked straight out of an episode of Geordie Shore :)
Or the Valleys...
There's a few photos of him training with Swansea on his Instagram account, plus one of him dressed as a cowboy and, well, I'll let you look for yourself...
http://instagram.com/juddbaker#
I love the internet.
Oh dear...
Jesus wept. Star-struck? Think he's getting a bit ahead of himself...
Did you have to Smithy..
Good luck to him
Judging by that, the kid might just make it - there are more dooshy pro athletes out there than humble ones!
Gold! haha
Such a douche haha
We should have a Fever-fan comparison competition...with equivalent photos of our bellies.
Or maybe not.
We should have a Fever-fan comparison competition...with equivalent photos of our bellies.
Or maybe not.
prediction: nufc_nz used fake pic of zac efron and claims it's him. his balls, his word
I think his parents were a bit rough at naming time.
What a tool.
That's the sort of time you need some decent mates come up to you, smack you on the head and say, DOUCHE!!
You look like you need an avatar metaLlegnz, why don't you use his photo?
I was wondering why this thread got so many responses, and there is the answer.... Shouldn't have let the intriuge get me, what a tool haha
What a tool.
That's the sort of time you need some decent mates come up to you, smack you on the head and say, DOUCHE!!
Isn't that what this forum is for :)
Best bit is: do a Google search for "judd baker swansea" and see what the top hit is...
Article about him from the North Shore Times: http://fairfaxmedia.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Has made appearances for Wanderers SC in the ASB Premiership but off to Swansea now:
http://www.asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=2118
Judd scouted by this guy, former Wales, Leeds & Swansea City goalkeeper Glan Letheren, who does some scouting for Swansea:
http://www.topcatchgoalkeeping.com/
He's also scouted this Kiwi:
"Daniel Bowkett
18th Sept. 2013
Daniel Bowkett (17 year old) from Wellington New Zealand has been invited to Leicester City FC in November."
Judd is a quality young striker who is technically very good, strong for his age, can use both feet, have a good vision and can pass the ball. He played mostly for his school and occasionally only for ECB youth team.
With are little bit of luck, and, if manages to stay injury free could potentially be one of the better strikers that NZ have. What works against him, is that he thinks that who knows everything, which is not unusual for teenagers.
I am not surprised that he went unnoticed. Many young players struggle to get a decent chance in NZ , so it is even harder for them to get noticed overseas.
Good on him and I wish him to all the best.
Found a mention of Baker trialing with Swansea City u-18's in December but can't find any further references to him on Swansea's website.
Judd's Facebook confirms he's on the youth team playing staff though with lots of recent photos: https://www.facebook.com/judd.baker.144
http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/u18s-vs-exeter-1225661.aspx
6:38 8th December 2013
. . . U18s win at Fairwood in friendly against Exeter City
Ryan Hedges scored four to help Swansea City Under-18s beat Exeter City 5-3 at Fairwood on Saturday.
In an emphatic first-half for the Swans, Hedges hit home four, while trialist Judd Baker scored the other to give the home side a 5-1 lead at the half-time interval.
Changes were made by the Swans for the second-half, and Exeter responded by striking twice to claw the scores back to 5-3.
However, it was too little too late for the visitors as Swansea were able to hold on to their two-goal advantage and secure the win.
Tranfermarkt.com has him in the u-18 squad:
http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/swansea-city-u18/startseite/verein_14626.html
Hey Big Pete. Judd Baker has been playing ASB premiership for the Wanderers (well did in round 7 and 8).
Edit: Did just see from Dan Bowkett thread that people move after christmas so great scouting as always!
Another kid getting a chance at youth level in the UK. Happy for him and potentially good for NZ..but the road ahead is looooooooong. Gold pics on his Instagram account though!!
Bowkett trialled at reading
Judd is passing the time before his contract with Swansea youth team starts in July by playing for East Coast Bays in the Northern League.
Details of his transfer status:
http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/judd-baker/transfers/spieler_292957_973883.html
Still only aged 17.
Spent several weeks at Swansea at the turn of the year trialing and getting a feel for the club. He was back playing in the ASB Premiership by mid-February. In the Wanderers squad for match vs. Team Wellington February 16 and scored in his first game back:
http://www.asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=2272
"Judd Baker who is bound for Swansea City when he turns 18..."
They have Judd in mind for the u-21's rather than the u-18's at Swansea it seems. Shows they must rate him.
Seems not to have worked out for him at Swansea City because he's now playing for Wanderers in the ASB Premiership:
Visa issues?
They probably saw his Instagram account and realised he plays about as good as he poses...
