CHERRIES’ defensive prospect Baily Cargill has been rewarded for his rapid progress with a new contract – his third in 16 months.

Cargill, who was elevated to Eddie Howe’s first-team squad at the start of this season, has penned an improved two-and-a-half year deal, tying him to the club at least until 2017.

The 19-year-old initially signed a one-year contract after successfully graduating from the club’s youth ranks in July 2013 before he was handed a new long-term deal just five months later.

Cargill, who was released by Southampton as a 12-year-old, has grown in stature since being converted by boss Eddie Howe to a left-sided central defender.

He made his Football League debut during a loan spell at Torquay last season and caught the eye with a series of assured displays during Cherries’ warm-up campaign.

Cargill, who also served Welling and AFC Totton on loan, was handed his Cherries debut in the League Cup first round clash against Exeter in August.

The Southampton-born teenager has played a starring role as Cherries have progressed to the last 16 of the competition, featuring in wins – and helping them keep clean sheets – against the Grecians, Northampton and Cardiff.

Cargill, one of the first intake in the club’s development squad, was also on the books at Leicester as a schoolboy and almost quit the game following his rejection by Southampton before he was invited to have a trial with Cherries.

  • See tomorrow’s Daily Echo for an interview with Baily Cargill ahead of Cherries’ League Cup fourth round clash with West Brom.