Port Vale FC are delighted to announce that Baylee Dipepa has signed a contract extension with The Valiants.
The England U17s international puts pen to paper on a deal that will run until the summer of 2027.
The 2023/24 season proved to be a breakthrough campaign for the Port Vale Academy graduate, making his senior debut in The Valiants’ 1-0 EFL Trophy win against Crewe Alexandra.
Dipepa, 17, would then go on to sign his first professional contract with the club in January 2024 and rack up 26 appearances across all competitions at just 17 years old.
Baylee scored his first senior goal against Shrewsbury Town in March 2024 and became The Vale’s second-youngest professional goalscorer in the club’s history, just behind fellow Academy graduate, Jack Shorrock.
In March 2024, Dipepa received his first call-up to the England U17s international team and would score twice on his debut from the bench to earn the Three Lions a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland in the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship qualifier at St. George’s Park.
Having impressed in his debut, Dipepa was deservedly included in the England squad for the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship and would quickly make his mark, scoring in England’s opening group game against France.
Speaking of Dipepa’s contract extension, Port Vale Manager, Darren Moore, said:
“Last season was a real breakthrough year for Baylee and he grasped every opportunity that came his way with both hands.
“For such a young professional, Baylee has proven that he has all of the right attributes to become a real top-class player if he continues with his hard work and development.
“Off the pitch, he is keen to listen to and learn from the experienced pros and coaches around him and takes every bit of information on board.
“He is a player that loves to link up and run in behind, but also has the size and awareness to be able to hold the ball up and bring others into play. Playing alongside the likes of Jayden Stockley with his hold-up play and aggression and Lorent Tolaj with his movement and skill, Baylee has some incredible tools at his disposal to kick on and develop even further next season.
“This contract extension is his just reward for a fantastic season for club and country. He has come back from pre-season in even better shape and we are all really, really excited to continue to work closely with him next year.”
