TWO JOIN PILGRIMS

ARGYLE AGREE LOAN DEALS FOR BOTH GYABI AND TIJANI

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

PLYMOUTH Argyle beat several Europa League clubs to the signing of Nigerian striker Muhamed Tijani, director of football Neil Dewsnip has declared.

The 23-year-old has joined on a season-long loan from Slavia Prague, and the Pilgrims have an option to buy Tijani at the end of the deal. Tijani cost Slavia Prague around £1 million when he moved to them from Czech First League rivals Banik Ostrava last summer and scored four goals in 19 games during the 2023/24 campaign.

He netted twice in four Europa League appearances for Slavia, which included an added-time winner from the penalty spot when they beat FC Sheriff 3-2 in a group stage game in Moldova last December.

Dewsnip revealed the chance to play under Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney, Manchester United's record goalscorer, had been a factor behind Tijani's decision to join the Pilgrims.

Argyle's director of football said: "We are really pleased that we have managed to bring Muhamed to the club. He was highly coveted, with several Europa League clubs keen to secure his signature, but Muhamed really bought into the project here at Argyle and was desperate to play for Wayne.

"He brings a different profile to our forward line and still has so much potential for growth, which we are really excited about. It is great to get another signing done before pre-season begins and we are all looking forward to getting started."

Rooney added: "Muhamed joining further strengthens our forward line and he will bring different attributes to the squad. He is big, athletic and can run in behind, but is equally as good at holding the ball up and bringing other players into play.