Argyle Take Jake

Jake, 23, has joined the Pilgrims on a one-year deal after a season in the Scottish Premiership with Ross County, for who he was one of the new Argyle manager's last acquisitions 12 months ago.

The signing of Jake comes hot on the heels of the recruitment of former Argyle defender Gary Sawyer as Derek prepares to welcome his Pilgrims' squad back for pre-season training, which begins on July 6.

The Wolverhampton-born six-footer joined the Staggies after playing the second half the 2013-14 season for Argyle's League 2 rivals Portsmouth, who are the Pilgrims' opening home league opponents this season. Prior to that, Jake spent six months with Turkish Süper Lig club Elazığspor.

He scored four goals in 12 starts for Pompey, including both in a 2-2 draw at Morecambe on his full debut and one that earned Portsmouth a 1-1 draw against Exeter at St James Park.

Jake graduated through the Birmingham City Academy to turn professional in March 2010, having already made his senior bow two months earlier as a substitute in the Blues' FA Cup fourth-round win over Everton at Goodison Park.

After signing his two-and-a-half year deal, he was immediately loaned to League 2 Hereford United for who he scored in his first two matches. He returned to Edgar Street the following season after spending the first six months in League 1 with Notts County, including 36 minutes as a second-half substitute in the Magpies' 1-0 Carling Cup win at Home Park. 

In the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, Jake played for six teams, starting with a brief Europa League qualifying appearance for Birmingham in the Blues' home leg against against Nacional, of Portugal.

He then joined League 2 Swindon Town, for who he partnered Cristian Montano in a 1-0 win against Argyle at Home Park and scored twice as the Robins beat Exeter 2–1 to reach the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area quarter-final.

After 14 appearances and five goals, Jake moved on to League 1 Preston North End and again scored on his debut, one of two goals in five outings at Deepdale, before completing the season's circle by playing for Birmingham in another cup-tie, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Following a third visit to Home Park, as an unused substitute in Birmingham's 5-0 pre-season humping of Argyle, Jake joined League 1 Carlisle United and again netted on his debut, a 4-2 home win over Portsmouth. 

After adding another couple against former club Swindon, he returned to St Andrews, only to go back out on loan again - and score on his debut, again - this time to Tranmere Rovers.

Another loan, to Portsmouth, followed, before being recalled by Birmingham, for who he finally made his league debut just after Christmas in a 3-1 Championship defeat at Bolton.

After one more game for City, he joined Elazığspor and - inevitably - netted on his debut, a 2-2 at Fenerbahçe, but that proved to be the high point of a difficult time abroad which ended when his contract was cancelled after the club reportedly defaulted on his wages.

When he had disentangled himself from FIFA's red tape, he picked his career at Fratton Park, earning his move to Ross County. 

It hardly needs to be said that he announced his arrival in the Scottish Premiership with a debut goal, against St Johnstone. In fact, three of his four goals in 28 appearances for the Staggies last season were against the Saints - and they all ended in 2-1 defeats. 

 

Welcome to Home Park, Jake.