Jakub's Club

The 23-year-old defender became Derek Adams’ first January Transfer Window acquisition when signing for the Pilgrims following his release by Southend. 

Speaking to Argyle Player, Jakub told us he is primarily a central defender, but has the versatility to be a ball player and play at right back, too, but it was in describing his attributes that Jakub’s self-description pricked listening Pilgrim ears. 

He said: “I would describe myself as being good in the air, good passing, aggressive – and definitely not scared of a tackle.”

Arriving in England at the age of 15, the man from the Czech Republic was a youth graduate at Liverpool – the club Argyle meet in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup this Sunday, live of BT Sport. 

Jakub credits his education at Anfield as crucial in helping him both as a footballer, and as a person. Unfortunately for the new recruit, he will have to wait until January 14 for his first chance to pull on the green-and-white, as he is cup-tied, and will not get a chance to debut at his old stomping ground. 

When I was 15 I signed for Liverpool. I was there for four or five years. It definitely gave me so much to my footballing career. And as a person as well; when you leave home so young, it’s hard times. But you get through it, it makes you stronger. 

It’s a shame that I am cup-tied and I cannot go there and play! It gives me time to settle in, get to know the players on the pitch as well as off the pitch. 

At Southend, Jakub was under the tutelage of, among others, Shrimpers first team coach Graham Coughlan, a former Argyle legend and centre-back of much repute around these parts. 

Coughlan’s vote of confidence for the club, as well as Jakub’s own observations of Home Park from playing against Argyle, helped Sokolik make his mind up to head west. 

On Coughlan, Jakub said: “He said it’s a really good club, a big club, and a nice place to live. 

“The crowd is amazing. The supporters are so good. I have been here a few times with Yeovil, and it always was a big game with the crowd standing behind you.”