Seattle Sounders bolsters roster with homegrown defender Cody Baker

The Seattle Sounders announced on Tuesday that they have signed homegrown defender Cody Baker to a four-year contract with options for 2027 and 2028.

A 19-year-old player will join the first team having previously played for MLS NEXT Pro team Tacoma Defiance. The Defiance first signed Baker in July 2021, where he went on to make 40 appearances for the club.

As of late, the defender has been playing solid minutes for the first team, most recently in the Sounders' win against Houston Dynamo. He was first called up to the senior team on a short-term loan before the club's US Open Cup match against San Diego Loyal on April 26. Since that match, the 19-year-old has been performing well ever since.

"It's always great to see young players make the most of their opportunities, and Cody has shown us that he can compete at the MLS level,” said Craig Waibel, Sounders chief soccer officer and general manager.

"This signing is the byproduct of many years of growth in our system, and we could not be happier for Cody to officially join the first team."

Adding Baker brings the number of homegrown signings for the Sounders to 22, with ten currently playing for the first team.

"Cody has performed well in his opportunities over the past month and we are happy to officially welcome him to the first team," said Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.

"We look forward to continuing his development as he enters the next stage of his career."

Baker will hope to get more minutes with the Sounders this weekend as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 20th at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. 

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