[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed New Zealand international striker Ben Waine for an undisclosed fee.

Waine joins the League One leaders from hometown club Wellington Phoenix where he scored 17 goals in 73 appearances.

The 21-year-old has represented the All Whites at all age groups, and played at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

"Ben is a young player who has a tremendous attitude and a willingness to learn and improve," said Argyle boss Steven Schumacher.

"Hopefully he can help score the goals that will maintain our push for promotion, and I'm sure all of the Green Army will be excited to see him play."

Waine has agreed a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season, with an option for a further year.

Plymouth are four points clear of the top of League One.

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed Norwich City left-back Saxon Earley.

The 20-year-old has moved to Home Park for an undisclosed fee having spent the first part of this season on loan at League Two side Stevenage.

Earley, who captained Norwich's youth sides, never made a senior appearance for the Canaries but played 27 times for Stevenage before being recalled.
He is another exciting young player that we have added to our squad that will improve our strength in depth," Argyle boss Steven Schumacher said of Earley.

"Saxon has enjoyed a really successful loan spell at the top of League Two with Stevenage in the first half of this season, and we think he is ready for the step up to show what he can do in League One."

The Pilgrims have not disclosed the length of contract Earley has agreed with the club.

[themaclad]

League One leaders Plymouth Argyle have signed midfielder Callum Wright from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old featured 10 times for the Tangerines this season without scoring, having joined the Championship club from Leicester City in September.

A former England youth international, Wright has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Pilgrims.

He becomes the club's third signing of the January transfer window, after the arrivals of Ben Waine and Saxon Earley.

"Callum is someone that we wanted to add to the squad who has a huge potential to develop and improve our team," Argyle boss Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"He will bring good energy and quality to our attacking positions."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed midfielder Jay Matete from Sunderland on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old becomes the fourth player to move to the League One leaders in the January transfer window.

Matete was a deadline-day signing for the Black Cats a year ago when he left Fleetwood Town to sign a four-and-a-half year deal at the Stadium of Light.

He has made eight appearances in the Championship for the Wearside club this season.

"I am delighted that Jay Matete has agreed to join us at Plymouth Argyle," Argyle manager Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"He is another young, talented and hungry player added to the squad that will strengthen our chances to stay at the top end of this division.

"We hope that Jay can bring his quality to Argyle and add some extra bite and aggressiveness to our midfield area."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle have signed Aston Villa winger Tyreik Wright.

The 21-year-old moves to the League One leaders for an undisclosed fee after being recalled from a season-long loan at League Two side Bradford City.

Wright - who never made a first-team appearance for Villa - scored four goals in 17 games for the Bantams.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 player has played 59 League Two games since January 2021 after loans at Walsall, Salford City and Colchester United.

Wright, who has agreed what the club describe as a "long-term deal" at Home Park, is the fifth new player to move to Argyle in the January transfer window.

New Zealand international forward Ben Waine, Blackpool midfielder Callum Wright and Norwich City wing-back Saxon Earley have all agreed permanent deals while Sunderland midfielder Jay Matete has joined on loan until the end of the season.

"He'll give us some more strength in depth, some more speed at the top end of the pitch and some directness," Argyle boss Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's obviously still young and got loads to learn and loads to improve on.

"But what I watched of him when we decided to go for him is someone who's got real speed and explosive power and can go past people.

"He's got real good ability and when he puts all of his game together, which I'm sure he will over the next couple of years, he's hopefully going to be a real good player for us."

[themaclad]

Plymouth Argyle defender Macaulay Gillesphey has agreed a two-year contract extension.

The 27-year-old has made 69 appearances since joining from Australian side Brisbane Roar in the summer of 2021, and will stay until the summer of 2025.

His first goal was the early opener in the 2-1 extra time defeat to then European champions Chelsea in last season's FA Cup fourth round.

Gillesphey follows captain Joe Edwards in extending his deal at the club.

"Since he arrived at the club just over 18 months ago, he has been a really consistent performer," manager Steven Schumacher told the club website.

"The quality that he has on the ball is outstanding and he is a huge part of how we like to attack. His defending has also been really good.

"He is reliable, a good competitor and he has played a vital part in our success over the last season and a half."