YASUAKI Kagami, Argyle's newest Director, has pledged to help the Pilgrims reach the next level and to compete against the best players in the world in the best league in the world.

Premier League football is the dream of everyone with a Green heart, and the Home Park Board is delighted to welcome Mr Kagami, as the representative for K&K Shonan Management Corporation, to the Argyle family.

K&K Shonan Management Corporation, an arm of Maruka Corporation, has purchased a 20% shareholding in Argyle and Mr Kagami has promised the relationship will be a long-term one.

He said: "We cannot promise immediate success, but I hope the Plymouth fans will view K&K Shonan Management LLC as a long-term dedicated shareholder, committed to the goal of bringing Plymouth to the next level.

"We believe that this is a process that has many steps, but, as long as we continue in the same successful direction the team has been moving for the past five years, we should be close to that goal.

"K&K Shonan Management was set up as both a strategic asset acquisition company and a company that is structured to be able to make more non-traditional investments than previously Maruka Corporation had historically entered into.

"Being smaller, but highly funded, allows us to be able to make quick decisions and have greater flexibility."

Mr Kagami, is the CEO of the Tokyo-based Maruka Corporation, which markets and distributes products under labels including Da Vinci Gourmet, Esserre, Profood, Ashmore and iSi Soda Siphon. He is also owner and president of K&K Shonan Management Corporation, which manages property and overseas investments.

He was introduced to Argyle by Plymothian Tony Campbell, Advisor International to K&K Shonan Management and a passionate Pilgrims' fan.

"The relationship started to evolve with a presentation we received from a business associate that has roots in Plymouth," confirmed Mr Kagami.

"As we began to study more about the market and about Plymouth, we felt that the investment was an attractive proposal that could lead to a positive impact to football here in Japan.

"By having a Japanese-backed club, it would make it "Japan's", and would increase the awareness of English football, which has the best players in the world and so is the most exciting.

"It would become a platform for star players here in Japan, and also a venue for young Japanese aspiring players to further their skills with the youth team."

From left to right: George Synan, Senior Vice President K&K Shonan Management LLC Yasuaki Kagami, President K&K Shonan Management LLC Tony Campbell, Advisor International K&K Shonan Management