[themaclad]

Midfielder Danny Mayor is among five players to be released by League One champions Plymouth Argyle this summer.

Defender James Bolton, wing-back Conor Grant, striker Luke Jephcott and goalkeeper Adam Parkes have also been released by the club.

Mayor, 32, has made 163 appearances for the Pilgrims since joining from Bury in 2019, including 34 during this season.

"Danny Mayor has been there every day throughout my coaching career so far," manager Steven Schumacher said.

"We both feel, for the sake of Danny's beautiful young family, the time has come for him to move back home and take on a new challenge. I'm going to miss him so much, but what a way to end our journey together."

Jordan Houghton, James Wilson, Dan Scarr, 17-goal top scorer Ryan Hardie and Niall Ennis have all been offered new contracts for next season in the Championship, while Brendan Galloway has triggered a one-year extension.

Grant joined Plymouth in 2018 although only played 11 times in all competitions this campaign, because of a long-term thigh injury.

Bolton, 28, has similarly seen much of his time at the club hampered by injury, making just 22 appearances since signing in 2021.

Jephcott, meanwhile, has been on loan at League Two Swindon since September.

"This is the absolute hardest part of being a manager," Schumacher continued.

"To have to say goodbye to people, who have become more than just a player, who have actually become good friends over the last five years is incredibly hard."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie has signed a new three-year contract to remain at the club until 2026.

Hardie was the Pilgrims' top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions as they became League One champions and reached the Papa Johns Trophy final.

The 26-year-old has played 163 games and scored 49 goals for the Devon club.

"It is great news that Ryan has committed his long-term future to the club," said Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher.

"He was an integral part of our success last season and will be a big part of what we are aiming to achieve moving forward."

Scottish striker Hardie began his career on the books at Rangers but he first joined Plymouth on loan from Blackpool in January 2020.

After a second loan spell, he then moved permanently to the Pilgrims in February 2021, but next season will be his first experience of Championship football.

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Jordan Houghton has signed a new two-year contract with the League One champions.

The 27-year-old former Chelsea youngster moved to Home Park two years ago from Milton Keynes Dons.

He also spent time on loan at the Devon side while at Chelsea in 2016.

He has since made 100 appearances for Argyle and was a key part of the side that won League One last month - he started 29 times and made 15 more appearances as a substitute.

Houghton joins striker Ryan Hardie and defender Dan Scarr in agreeing new terms at Argyle after their promotion to the Championship.

"He has been a huge part of our success over the past two seasons," Argyle manager Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"He has a knack of calming us down when we need it, showing maturity and composure to be a real leader for us on the pitch and off it. I am delighted he has agreed to stay."

[themaclad]

James Wilson has left Plymouth Argyle after he failed to sign a new contract.

The 34-year-old former Wales defender was offered new terms at the end of the Pilgrims' League One title-winning season, but the deadline to agree the new deal has expired.

Having joined on a free transfer from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2021, he went on to play 95 times and was a regular in the promotion-winning side.

It comes after Dan Scarr, Ryan Hardie and Jordon Houghton signed new deals.

"James played a huge part in our success last season and will forever be a part of the history of this football club," Argyle manager Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"It is a shame we won't see him in an Argyle shirt again but I wish James all the best moving forward and thank him for all his hard work and commitment during my time at the club."

[themaclad]

Hull City captain Lewie Coyle has signed a new three-year contract.

The 27-year-old full-back has made 100 appearances for his hometown team since joining from Fleetwood in August 2020.

"I'm over the moon. I've been vocal about what this club means to me," he told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It's always nice to feel wanted and when they come to you with a long-term deal it gives you a feeling that you are being rewarded for how you've played."

He added: "Our goal is clear. We want to get to the Premier League and if we can achieve that in the time of this contract I'd be a happy man. It would be a dream come true.

"We have to do everything we can to get up out of this league."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed Spanish defender Julio Pleguezuelo.

The 26-year-old has agreed a two-year deal after leaving Dutch top-flight side FC Twente and is the first Spanish player to ever join the Pilgrims.

"Julio joins us with good pedigree behind him having been a regular in the Eredivisie the last few seasons," Argyle manager Steven Schumacher said.

"He is versatile, excellent with the ball at his feet and will fit in to the style of play we try to play."

Pleguezuelo is Argyle's first summer signing as they prepare to embark on their return to the Championship after winning the 2022-23 League One title and gaining promotion.

He came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal, and played nearly 100 games for Twente over four seasons.

Argyle Director of Football Neil Dewsnip said the club had been tracking Pleguezuelo for some time: "We have been following Julio for a while and believe he fits exactly the profile of player we are looking to have at the club both on and off the pitch.

"He has had an excellent season for FC Twente and it is a real coup that he has decided to join Argyle.

"I am delighted to get our first signing of the summer over the line and hope the fans are excited as we are to see Julio run out at Home Park for the first time."

[themaclad]

Aston Villa's England Under-20 wing-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden has joined Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, where he played Championship 14 games and scored the winner in a 2-1 Boxing Day victory at Preston.

He had loans at Swindon Town and Milton Keynes Dons in the 2021-22 season.

His only senior Villa appearance was in the FA Cup in January 2021 in a 4-1 loss to Liverpool.

Villa were forced to play a youth side after a Covid-19 outbreak at their training ground meant their first team were not able to take part in the third-round fixture.

"He has excellent pedigree, and great experience for his young age, including in the Championship," said Argyle manager Steven Schumacher.

"He will give us energy and versatility. I am really looking forward to working with him."

He is Argyle's second summer signing after Spanish defender Julio Pleguezuelo moved to Home Park last week.

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed defender Lewis Gibson following his departure from Premier League side Everton.

The 22-year-old began his career in Newcastle's academy before joining the Toffees aged 17, although he did not make a first-team appearance for them.

The centre-back has had spells on loan at Fleetwood, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, and spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers.

He made 33 appearances for Joey Barton's side, scoring one goal.

"We are signing a ball-playing central defender who has his best years ahead of him and has so much room for development," Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher said.

"Left-sided defenders are also hard to come by, especially of Lewis' quality, and we beat off a number of clubs trying to clinch his services."


Plymouth Argyle have appointed Manchester City academy coach Peter Cavanagh as a first-team coach.

The 41-year-old, who has coached at the academies of both Everton and Liverpool, played more than 300 games across the EFL and National League.

He was named lead foundation coach at Manchester City in January 2022.

"We have been aware of his capabilities for some time and thrilled that he has decided to join us," said Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher.

"He has already made a considerable impression on the group and his coaching philosophies align with the staff we already have in place at the club."

Director of football Neil Dewsnip added: "He fits the mould of coach we like to have and joins the club from an excellent coaching pedigree.

"I have been aware of his journey for a number of years from Everton to Manchester City and he is an extremely sought-after coach.

"His main roles will be to develop an individual development programme for all of the first-team players to help them grow and improve, which is a key philosophy of the club."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed Northern Ireland goalkeeper Conor Hazard from Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old, who has won four international caps, has agreed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Championship club.

He made seven appearances for Celtic and had loan spells at Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Dundee and HJK Helsinki.

He will vie with Michael Cooper for the number one jersey as Cooper prepares to return from a serious knee injury.

Hazard helped HJK win the Finnish league in 2022 and played in four Champions League qualifying matches and 10 games in the Europa League last season.

"He has international experience and all the fundamentals required to be a top goalkeeper," Argyle boss Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"Conor will complement and challenge our current team of excellent goalkeepers, and we look forward to seeing him in action."

Hazard is Plymouth's fourth signing of the summer transfer window.

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Swansea City striker Morgan Whittaker has joined Plymouth Argyle in a deal worth around £1m plus add-ons.

The move is a record transfer for Plymouth who are in the Championship for the first time in 13 years.

Whittaker, 22, had a successful loan spell at the Pilgrims in the first half of last season before they went on to win promotion.

The ex-England youth cap has now made a permanent move after Swansea opted to cash in on Argyle's interest.

Swansea are set for a profit after paying Derby County £750,000 for the forward in January 2021.

Despite scoring on his debut against Manchester City, Whittaker failed to make a mark in south Wales, making just five league starts and 28 appearances off the bench.

He spent time on loan at Lincoln City before heading to Home Park last season where he impressed, scoring nine goals under Steven Schumacher, who claimed Whitaker had not wanted to return to Swansea in January.

"Morgan really needs no introduction to the Green Army after his contributions in our title-winning campaign last season," said Schumacher.

"He scored and created crucial goals in the time he was with us, and we were all naturally disappointed when he was recalled in January.

"At just 22 he has so much room for growth and development, and we are thrilled he has decided that Home Park is the place he wants to do that.

"He gets fans off their seats and is one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL.

"He has been one of our main targets all summer, and it is a real coup to bring him back to the club."

Whittaker had also been the subject of interest from SPL side Rangers.

Swansea turned down bids from the Ibrox side, with Whittaker then asking not to be involved in a game against QPR for not being in the right frame of mind.

His return to Plymouth allows Swansea to use the funds to press on with transfer plans.

Having already signed Blackpool striker Jerry Yates in a deal worth £2.5m and free signings Josh Key (Exeter) and Josh Ginnelly (Hearts), new manager Michael Duff is still looking to add to his options.

Newcastle's former West Ham youngster Harrison Ashby is on the club's radar as a potential loan signing, as is Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Analysis
Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport

The signing of Morgan Whittaker signals Argyle's intent to make sure they stay in the Championship after their return as League One champions in May.

The £1m-plus fee is double Argyle's previous record of £500,000 they paid to Cardiff City for Steve MacLean in January, 2008.

Since then the club has gone into administration and flirted with relegation out of the EFL before resurging under the backing of current owner Simon Hallett.

Hallett's vision is to turn Argyle into a sustainable Championship side - and to do that the club need the firepower to stay in the division.

Whittaker proved a hit in League One with the Pilgrims last season - now he has to show that he has what it takes to be the main man in a higher division.