Baptiste pens new Pool deal

Baptiste: New deal

Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste has signed a new deal that will keep him at Bloomfield Road until 2013.

"I believe he can play in the Premiership and I have told him that, I am working on the areas that he needs working on, but as a defender I don't think I have had a better one and I am delighted he has signed."
Ian Holloway Quotes of the week

The defender's contract was due to expire in the summer, and although Pool had the option of adding another 12 months, they decided to act now and offer him a long-term deal.

The 23-year-old has impressed for the Seasiders this season but he admits that earning a new deal was a pleasant surprise.

"I am very pleased, I had a good chat with the Gaffer and Tommo and the direction of the club is upwards and I want to be a part of it," Baptiste told the club's official website.

"If someone would have said I would be signing a new contract when I first signed, I would have thought you were mad.

"There are some quality players in the squad and I am delighted with the way things have gone, I always give 100% and I'm delighted to have signed a new deal."

Pride

The defender has received praise from a number of opposition scouts during the campaign and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes he has a top-flight career ahead of him.

"Everyone has been talking about Charlie's [Adam's] form but Baps has played at left back, right back and centre-back and he has been different class," said Holloway.

"I believe he can play in the Premiership and I have told him that, I am working on the areas that he needs working on, but as a defender I don't think I have had a better one and I am delighted he has signed.

"I am delighted to reward Alex, he has been absolutely outstanding and if I am writing my team out, with great respect to everyone else, he is one of the first in it somewhere and well done to him.

"It fills me with pride that he has been rewarded, it hasn't always happened at the clubs I have been at and I am delighted for him and the club."