18-year old Manchester City winger Brandon Barker has signed a new five-year contract with the Blues, keeping with the club until 2020.
Barker was a key figure for both Jason Wilcox and Patrick Vieira last time, playing an integral part of the U-18 side’s impressive FA Youth Cup run, as well as the Premier League U-21 International Cup success.
Local lad Barker had a year to spare on his current deal and there was concern from some sections of fans that another promising talent would be offloaded.
But the flying winger has committed his future to the club and indicated that a new deal had been on the cards for a while now.
“The talks have continued over the summer and this was the perfect time for me to sign the new contract,” Barker told the club’s official website.
After that glowing season in the EDS, Barker was rewarded with a place in the first-team squad for the tour of Australia and Vietnam and was one of the players who stepped up to the mark.
“It was good to challenge for minutes on the pitch, even though it’s not easy with a team of world-class players so this season I want to really put my name out there and show everyone what I’m capable of.”
The likes of Jack Byrne and Enes Unal have been sent out on loan for the sake of their development and Barker has been linked with a loan move away – with both Leeds and Bolton the names mentioned.
He admits that a loan stint is an option and he would look to use that as a springboard for success.
“If I do spend time out on loan, I’ll do my best to help that club while bringing my own game on,” he said.
“If that happens I’ll grow as a player and then I can use that to benefit my future at City – the end goal will always be geared to progressing here.”
