LARRIEU is a highly competent goalkeeper with sharp reflexes that seem to defy logic for a man with such a huge frame.

Ro began his career in his native France with Montpellier where he was understudy to former French international goalkeeper Bruno Martini.

After failing to dislodge Martini, Larrieu moved to ASOA Valence where he played in the same side as another future Pilgrim, David Friio.

Valence were relegated to the third tier of French football in 2000 and both Friio and Larrieu were released, with 'Le Keeper' spending six months away from the game before being recommended to Argyle manager Paul Sturrock.

He was initially signed on a one-month trial contract, but earned a two-year deal after deputising for the injured Jon Sheffield towards the end of the 2000-01 season.

Larrieu found himself as Argyle's first-choice 'keeper the following season, and became an instrumental figure as the Pilgrims claimed the Third Division Championship.

He was called 'the best keeper outside the Premiership' and clubs of the stature of Arsenal and Sunderland came to watch him in action. Sturrock responded by offering Larrieu an extension to his contract, which the big man accepted.

The wheels came off the Larrieu train at the start of the 2003-04 season when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury but, fortunately for Argyle, his replacement Luke McCormick was superb between the sticks as the Pilgrims claimed the Second Division Championship.

Larrieu shared goalkeeping duties with McCormick in Argyle's first season in the Coca-Cola Championship with manager Bobby Williamson clearly unsure who his best 'keeper was.

'Le Keeper' re-established himself as the number one in the Tony Pulis season, playing in all but one of Argyle's games in the league, and his form was consistently excellent - he made countless vital saves for his team in an impeccable campaign for the Frenchman.

Health worries virtually destroyed his playing opportunities for the early part of last season. Thankfully, the big man has now recovered and will be looking to challenge McCormick after an encouraging loan spell at Gillingham towards the end of the 2006-07 campaign.

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