Back in Business

The midfielder was a key component in the Green Machine’s journey to the Sky Bet League Two play-offs last season, while on loan to Argyle from Bolton Wanderers.

However, he missed the run-in and Wembley final because the terms of his temporary move obliged him to return to Wanderers, where he was called into the Championship club’s first team.

He was released by the Trotters at the end the campaign, leaving him to search for a new club. That search ended the moment Pilgrims’ manager Derek Adams contacted him. 

“It’s a great club,” said Ozzie. “I know it can achieve great things and I want to be a part of it.

“There is some unfinished business. I felt I could have benefited [the final part of the season] in a certain way, but who knows? You can’t really say, because I wasn’t there.

“When I heard Plymouth came in, it brought back memories. It came to the point where I dropped every other option because I knew Plymouth were the best option.”

The Bolton-born Academy product was shocked to be released by his hometown club after a long association, especially after playing for the Trotters last season after 28 games at Home Park.

 “It was a bit of a blow,” he said. “I thought I played well. I thought I’d earned myself a new contract, but it didn’t go that way.

“It was nerve-wracking. I’ve not been in that predicament and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t feel like I was released. I still had a love for the club. 

“It only kicked in when I came back from holiday and I had to ask if I could come in and do a bit of training. I was still under contract until June 30, so I used their facilities to do some work and not get overweight.”

Even though it is only three months since he left Home Park, there is a different look and feel to the place, and nine new team-mates to get to know.

“Things have changed,” he said. “There are new people in. They seem friendly – I’ve met them briefly – a good group, and I’m just looking forward to kicking on with the season.”

One of the changes is the arrival of a player who shares more than a dressing-room with Ozzie, defender Karleigh Osborne.

He said: “He’s Big Oz and I’m Little Oz, apparently...but I was here first!”