Retained List 2019

ARGYLE have offered new contracts to 12 Pilgrims whose current deal expires this summer as they prepare for life in Sky Bet League Two with a new manager.

With 11 players, including leading scorer Freddie Ladapo, already under contract for the new season, club captain Gary Sawyer heads the list of several regular first-team colleagues to whom the club have extended the offer of a new deal for 2019-20.

Offers have been made to the Pilgrims’ long-serving skipper, alongside experienced midfielder David Fox and the attacking midfield trio of Graham Carey, Joel Grant, and Player of the Season Ruben Lameiras. New deals have also been proposed for Yann Songo’o, runner-up to Lameiras; fellow defender Ryan Edwards; and goalkeeper Kyle Letheren.

Alex Fletcher, Luke Jephcott, Ryan Law and Cameron Sangster, all graduates of the club’s Academy programme, have also been offered new deals, while apprentices Klaidi Lolos, Michael Peck, Tom Purrington and Adam Randell have all been handed their first pro contracts.

Despite not currently having a first-team manager, the club has released its retained list in compliance with EFL regulations, which stipulates that clubs must notify a player of their intention to offer a contract to playing staff by the third week of May.

Scottish midfielder Jamie Ness, who spent two seasons in Devon, is one of several professionals who will not be returning to Home Park ahead of next season. This list also includes Lionel Ainsworth, Dan Rooney, Alex Battle, Harry Hodges and Jordan Bentley – who has been forced to retire due to persistent injury problems. In the Academy, apprentices Andrew Burn, Rio Garside and Aaron Goulty have been released.

Loan players Matt Macey, Oscar Threlkeld and Lloyd Jones have returned to their parent clubs.

Paul Anderson’s short-term deal, which he signed in February, expires on May 10, when he will become a free agent.

We thank all departing Pilgrims for contributing to the life of the club and the success of the team while they have been at Home Park, and we wish them nothing but the very best in their future ventures.

RETAINED LIST

Under contract: Niall Canavan, Michael Cooper, Calum Dyson, Conor Grant, Freddie Ladapo, Tafari Moore, Joe Riley, Antoni Sarcevic, Ashley Smith-Brown, Ryan Taylor, Scott Wootton.

Out of contract, offered new contract: Graham Carey, Ryan Edwards, Alex Fletcher, David Fox, Joel Grant, Luke Jephcott, Ruben Lameiras, Ryan Law, Kyle Letheren, Cameron Sangster, Gary Sawyer, Yann Songo'o.

Out of contract, released: Lionel Ainsworth, Alex Battle, Harry Hodges, Jamie Ness, Dan Rooney.

Short-term contract expired, released: Paul Anderson.

Out of contract, retired: Jordan Bentley.

Loan expired: Lloyd Jones, Matt Macey, Oscar Threlkeld.

Apprentices offered professional contract: Klaidi Lolos, Michael Peck, Tom Purrington, Adam Randell.

Apprentices released: Andrew Burn, Rio Garside, Aaron Goulty.