Whittaker signing underlines Argyle's intent this campaign

WITH one move Plymouth Argyle have proved the level of their ambition and that they are not in the Championship in 2023/24 just to make up the numbers.

- Chris Errington

Under Simon Hallett's calculated and sensible financial stewardship the Pilgrims are not going to wildly throw money around on players. Sustainability is the mantra.

But if there was one player for Argyle to push the boat out on after their promotion as League One champions then it had to be Morgan Whittaker, and they have done it.

The transfer fee agreed for Whittaker with Swansea City is officially undisclosed, but it is a club record for Argyle and there have been reports it is around £1 million, plus add-ons.

Whittaker signing on a four-year contract is huge for Argyle, make no doubt about that. It will be a massive boost, three weeks ahead of the start of the Championship campaign, for everyone at Home Park.

That includes Steven Schumacher, his staff and Whittaker's team-mates - many of whom played alongside him last term and will know what he is capable of.

It also sends out a message to the rest of the Championship that Argyle are serious about being very competitive in the division, despite the huge financial gulf between them and most of the other clubs.

And then there is the Green Army, who have greeted the return of Whittaker to Home Park after his superb loan spell in the first half of last season, with unanimous and unconfined joy.

There have been record sales of Argyle's new green and gold home kit already, and fans are now going to be clamouring to get theirs with 'Whittaker 10' on the back of their shirts.