Ashley Thomas Baker (born 30 October 1996) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender for Cymru Premier club The New Saints.

Ash Baker
Personal information
Full name Ashley Thomas Baker[1]
Date of birth (1996-10-30) 30 October 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth Bridgend, Wales
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
The New Saints
Number 24
Youth career
–2017 Cardiff City
2017–2018 Sheffield Wednesday
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Sheffield Wednesday 12 (0)
2020–2021 Newport County 8 (0)
2021– The New Saints 36 (7)
International career
Wales U19 1 (0)
2018 Wales U21 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:08, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

Club career

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Sheffield Wednesday

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Born in Bridgend, Baker began his career as a youth player with Cardiff City at under-14 level.[3] He was released by the club in January 2017,[4] signing his first professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in the same month.[5]

In May 2018, he made his first team debut for the club, starting at right-back as Wednesday beat Norwich City in the final Football League Championship match of the season. [6]

Newport County

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On 13 January 2020, Baker signed for League Two club Newport County on a one-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[7] He made his debut for Newport on 18 January 2020, starting in a 2–0 league win against Swindon Town.[8] He scored his first goal for Newport in the 2–1 FA Cup first-round win against Leyton Orient on 7 November 2020.[9] On 4 June 2021 it was announced that he would leave Newport County at the end of the 2020-21 season, following the expiry of his contract.[10]

The New Saints

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In July 2021 he joined Cymru Premier club The New Saints.[11]

International career

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Having earned one cap for Wales at under-19 level,[12] Baker made his debut for the under-21 side on 7 September 2018, in a 2–1 victory over Liechtenstein.[13]

Career statistics

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As of 6 February 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sheffield Wednesday
2017–18[14] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2018–19[15] Championship 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 0
2019–20[16] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 12 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 13 0
Newport County 2019–20[16] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2020–21[17] League Two 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 8 0
Total 8 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 12 0
Career total 20 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 25 0

Honours

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The New Saints

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References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Newport County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 45. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Ash Baker". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ^ Terry Phillips (20 May 2015). "Cardiff City's 20 best players under 20: The hottest young talent the Bluebirds fans should keep an eye out for". WalesOnline. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Defender joins Owls Under-23 squad". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Defender joins Owls Under-23 squad". www.swfc.co.uk. 6 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Report: Sheffield Wednesday 5–1 Norwich City". www.bbc.co.uk. 6 May 2018.
  7. ^ "County Sign Welsh Defender Ashley Baker on Permanent Transfer from Sheffield Wednesday". Newport County Official Site. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Newport County 2–0 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  9. ^ Baker first goal for Newport
  10. ^ "Newport County AFC retained list confirmed". www.newport-county.co.uk.
  11. ^ Jones, Jordan. "New Saints snap up Ash Baker after Newport County exit". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  12. ^ Howson, Dom (5 September 2018). "Ash Baker on his Wales Under-21 call-up and the Owls' start to the season". The Star. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  13. ^ Howson, Dom (7 September 2018). "Ash Baker wins his first Wales Under-21 cap in Euro qualifier". The Star. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Games played by Ash Baker in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Games played by Ash Baker in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Games played by Ash Baker in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Games played by Ash Baker in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Cymru Premier: The New Saints win title with point against Penybont". BBC Sport. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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