Plymouth Argyle 'a massive club' says new signing Alex Hartridge

The defender joined the Green Army on Wednesday on a free transfer on a two-year-deal having left Burton Albion - and having grown up in Devon, said the move back to the county is a welcome return home.

The 27-year-old was born in Torquay, brought up in Totnes, and came through the academy ranks at Exeter City, where he would later go on to make his professional debut, playing 172 times over two spells at St James Park.

But he has signed a permanent deal with Argyle and told ArgyleTV that he was delighted to get the move done early. “For different reasons I’ve gone into an off-season break without really knowing where I’ll be reporting to come the end of June,” he said.

“This has gone perfectly, having a couple of weeks to make this decision, and then a month to be settled here, ready for what comes. A day like today gets me excited for the start of August, but also just getting back and being in and around it again.”

He added to ArgyleTV: “It’s quite surreal. Being around the club today, the connection I’ve got to the area, and how much I know about Argyle means it’s a huge deal for me.

“Devon is home for me; the South West is home for my partner, so it’s a place we love, and we miss when we are not there. Being back down here was a huge draw, as well as the football club.

“I feel coming back to the area now a completely different person and player. I feel more confident in my own game, I feel more aware of what puts me in a good position and what makes a successful team.

“What success looks like here is probably a level above what success has looked like at clubs that I’ve been successful for, so that’s a challenge I’m looking forward to embracing.

“Footballing wise, it’s a great opportunity, it’s a massive club, a club of a size I’ve not had the opportunity to play for in my career.”

Despite having spent the majority of his career playing for the Grecians, Hartridge spoke fondly over the Devon Derbies he had played in previously and also watching the Green half of Devon when he was growing up.

“I remember in particular coming down and watching Argyle play Leeds [when I was young], and to think back to that and come to today signing here, I wouldn’t have believed it if you had told me that then," he added to ArgyleTV.

“The standout moments [at Exeter] beyond the promotion, was playing the games against Argyle, so it’s a rivalry I’m fully aware of and two clubs I know really well.

“The size of this club is something that I’ve known about forever, and it’s a real draw. I thought about the connection I’ve got with Exeter, and what will come because of that, but that’s something I’m looking forward to embracing.”

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