NEW GULL PROFILE

Sam Jones – @samuellejones

Sam talks about the newest Gull

After the release of James Hamon at the end of the season and the end of Stacey’s loan move, United desperately need a goalie. With two goalie #incomings expected this season, we have our first in former Plymouth Youngster Zak Baker.

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝘅-𝗔𝗿𝗴𝘆𝗹𝗲 '𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗭𝗮𝗸 𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿

Jimmy Ball's strengthening of his Torquay United squad for 2026/27 is continuing at pace, with his latest addition being former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Zak Baker.

➡️ https://t.co/iyYbLId8Hw #tufc pic.twitter.com/l6qdbUwRQA
— Torquay United FC (@TUFC1899) May 21, 2026

CAREER SUMMARY

Zak Baker, like Callum Morton, was born at a very young age. This time in Aylesbury in 2004. He then somehow found himself down in Devon, joining the Plymouth academy at the age of 12 and eventually signing his first pro-contract in 2023. His first taste of first team football was on loan at Tiverton in the 2023/2024 season where he made 29 appearances in the League and was awarded Young Player of the Season. He was sent on loan to Plymouth Parkway, but was called back to Home Park to be Connor Hazard’s back-up. He then re-joined Tiverton on loan, but was re-called in March 2025 after suffering a knee injury. He spent most of the 2025/2026 season serving as back up to Ashby-Hammond before his release in summer 2026. He then moved up the Devon coast to join the Gulls.

HIGHLIGHTS

I couldn’t find a single highlight for him, so we just have to imagine his outstanding performances for Plymouth Parkway. Think Gordon Banks vs Brazil, Courtois vs Liverpool, or Poke vs Histon…

TALKING ABOUT ZAK

Timothy Bee on Facebook talking about his time at Tiverton – “Commands his box very well, very assertive and confident given his age. Excellent shotstopper and makes good decisions. let down sometimes by his kicking. we’d love him back!”

BAKER STATS

DATE OF BIRTH: 19TH NOVEMBER 2004 – 21 YEARS-OLD

BIRTHPLACE: AYLESBURY, ENGLAND

HEIGHT: 1.87M

POSITION: GOALKEEPER

L1 25-26 STATS: APPEARANCES 0, CLEAN SHEETS 0, YELLOW CARDS 0, RED CARDS 0

MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY

Most Likely To

Tower over the defence is corner. The man is like 6’2”, you are going to notice him.
Be an upgrade on Wonnacott. Hopefully he can not break his arm every couple of months as well…

Least Likely To

Start in goal opening day of the season. My guess is he has been brought in as a back up, rather than first choice, so assuming no major injuries I would expect him on the bench for most of the campaign.

CONCLUSION

This first like a classic back up keeper signing. Young, local with some first team experience. I would love to see a properly experienced Keeper come in as our Number 1, especially someone who has cut their teeth in either the NLS or the NL (or higher). Zak may have a lot of potential, but he’s probably not the keeper we need right now.