Cheltenham sign defender Ibrahim Bakare after successful trial
Former Vancouver FC defender Bakare joins Cheltenham Credit: None
Cheltenham Town have secured the signing of defender Ibrahim Bakare following a successful trial.
The 22-year-old impressed during pre-season friendlies against Bristol City and Northampton Town, leading to his addition to the squad.
Bakare, a London-born player, began his football career at Morecambe's Academy at 16 and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2019.
He later joined Cardiff City's U23 team, furthering his development in South Wales before embarking on several short-term spells in non-league football.
Most recently, Bakare played for Vancouver FC, contributing to the Canadian Premier League team's inaugural season in 2023.
His performance caught the attention of Cheltenham, where he now joins fellow defenders Scot Bennett, Ryan Haynes, Arkell Jude-Boyd, Lewis Payne, and Levi Laing in strengthening the club's defensive line-up this summer.
Robins manager Michael Flynn expressed his enthusiasm about Bakare's decision to join Cheltenham, saying, "The most impressive thing about Ibrahim is that he had the opportunity to go to a couple of places and he decided he wanted to come to us. He's the right age for the football club and he fits into everything we are trying to do."
"Not only that, he's very aggressive, very athletic, and I think he could be a player that could have a very good career, as long as he keeps to his beliefs and his work ethic."
