Argyle Sign Trotman

DEFENDER Neal Trotman is set to sign for Argyle.

Neal, 26, will join the Pilgrims until January after agreeing to meet up with Argyle manager John Sheridan for the third time in his career.

The move follows an ongoing injury to Guy Branston and news that Paul Wotton is likely to face some time on the sidelines after breaking his ribs during the 1-0 defeat to Southend on Saturday.

Having been released from his apprenticeship at Burnley, the 6' 2" centre-half signed for Sheridan's Oldham Athletic in June 2006.

After a slow start to his Boundary Park career, Neal spent a spell on loan with Halifax Town, before returning in 2007 to enjoy a run of first-team action.

It was during this spell that Trotman attracted the interest of several clubs from the higher divisions, and after much speculation linking him with a move to Home Park, he eventually signed for Preston North End in January 2008.


Neal remained at Deepdale for three-and-a-half seasons but in that time, made just four appearances for the Lancashire club.

Instead, he enjoyed three separate and fruitful loan spells, at Southampton in 2009, Huddersfield in January 2010 and Oldham in November of the same year.

Following his release from Preston, he joined Rochdale in July 2011, turning out 12 times for the club before joining Sheridan's Chesterfield on loan in November.

It took Neal just seven games of his loan spell to convince Sheridan of his credentials and in January 2012, he signed a permanent contract.

Shortly afterwards, John handed Trotman the captaincy and became a main stay in the Spirites back four until Sheridan's departure the following season.

He was released by Chesterfield at the end of the last term and signs at Home Park as a free agent.

He will wear the number 16 shirt.