After signing a new deal that will keep him at the Cottage until at least the summer of 2013, Chris Baird spoke of his delight at securing his future with Fulham Football Club on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m chuffed to bits and really happy,” Baird told fulhamfc.com. “I really enjoyed myself under Roy Hodgson and the new Manager, Mark Hughes, seems to like me. I like what he’s [Hughes] doing and how things have started with the Team, so I’m really happy to sign a new contract.”
Baird joined Fulham from Southampton during the summer of 2007 and showed true character to emerge from a testing first year at the Club to become one of the stars of last season’s remarkable campaign, amassing 52 appearances.
“My first year at the Club wasn’t the best,” Baird explained. “But from there I got a run in the Team and played a lot of games. I wasn’t playing in my favourite position when I first came into the side and I knew I wasn’t playing too well. Hopefully the fans have warmed to me and that my good form continues.”
Baird put in some exceptional performances last season and featured in Fulham’s historic victories over Manchester United, FC Basel, Liverpool, CSKA Sofia, Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus, not to mention a UEFA Europa League Final appearance. Following such a memorable 12 months, Baird is now looking to replicate that personal and collective success under Mark Hughes.
“Last season was by far the best season of my career,” said Baird. “I was delighted with my performances, whether I was playing at right-back, centre-back or in midfield. I was just happy to be in the Team and getting a good run and that’s what I’m looking for this season.
“Obviously Johnny Pantsil is the original right-back and he’s been doing well there. It’s going to be hard for me to get into the Team, whether it’s at right-back, centre-half or in central midfield because everyone’s fit and playing well. I’ll have to bide my time and take my chance like I’ve done before.
“I’m looking for the same again and hopefully we can qualify for Europe or win a cup. We’ve had a good start in the League so we’ll just see how things progress and take it from there.”