Jake Pegged

JAKE Cole is keeping it Green after agreeing to stay with the Pilgrims.

The Home Park No.1 has signed a new one-year deal following the expiry of his current contract.

Jake, 27, had been linked with a move away from Home Park this summer after being Argyle’s regular goalkeeper for the past two seasons.

However, the personable Londoner becomes the second senior Pilgrim in successive weeks to pledge himself to the John Sheridan Argyle revolution following skipper Conor Hourihane’s similar earlier commitment.

“I’m delighted,” said Jake, who put pen to paper on his new deal this weekend. “Now that it’s all sorted, I can’t wait for pre-season.”

Jake has played in 75 of the Pilgrims’ 101 matches since he joined Argyle in the summer of 2011 after being released by Barnet.

His form between the sticks played a large part the Pilgrims winning successive battles against relegation from League 2 and has endeared him to the Green Army, who voted him runner-up in last season’s Player of the Year poll.

“I’ve been happy with my performances all the way through, really,” said Jake, “and pleased to have played my part in keeping the club in the League.

“I think the fans, who have been terrific, have seen that I’ve done my best for the club.”

Last season, he conceded just 38 goals in 35 and a half games (he was a substitute for Rene Gilmartin in the 0-0 home draw with Accrington), keeping nine clean sheets (technically, eight and a half – see above).

Jake said: “We haven’t had many goals against us, especially since the new gaffer came in, which is definitely something we can build on for next season.

“I’m only 27, which is still relatively young for a goalkeeper, and really think that, if I continue to work hard, my best is still to come.”

With former Argyle youth product Luke McCormick having returned to Home Park, there promises to be plenty of competition for the No.1 spot over the next 12 months.

Jake said: “I’m looking forward to working with Luke. Goalkeepers are used to training together and I’m sure we can help each other’s game.”

Great to have you back, Jake.