Plymouth Argyle struck gold by signing Dublin-born ace - He starred at Home Park | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle struck gold when they signed Dublin-born ace Graham Coughlan from Livingston in 2001.

Plymouth Argyle struck gold when they signed Dublin-born ace Graham Coughlan in May 2001.

The Pilgrims secured the services of the Irishman from Scottish side Livingston in what proved to be a stellar piece of business.

Coughlan's arrival in Devon was followed by two promotions in three seasons. In those two promotion years, he was included in the PFA Division Three Team of the Year in the 2001/02 season, and the Irishman was the PFA Division Two Player of the Year in the 2003/04 season.

The central defender amassed 177 appearances for Argyle over four seasons with the club and made himself a club hero.

Coughlan was voted as the Pilgrims' greatest ever centre-back in a fan survey in 2019, highlighting the sheer impact the Irishman had at Home Park.

When asked about his signing in 2001, Argyle boss Paul Sturrock said: "He [Coughlan] is a no-nonsense defender, rugged, and he wears his heart on his sleeve and above all he is a talker and will encourage those around him."

Coughlan's instant impact at Home Park

The Irishman made a huge impression in his first season in Devon, being named in the PFA Division Three Team of the Year and helping the Pilgrims clinch the title with an impressive points total of 102.

The most impressive part of Coughlan's debut season was that he ended the campaign as Argyle's top goalscorer. He notched 11 goals across the 2001/02 season, an unbelievable feat for a centre-back.

Coughlan wasn't only influential in the final third, he was a part of a back four that kept a club-record 27 clean sheets across that same season. The Pilgrims only conceded 28 goals in their Division Three Campaign.

This is the debut season of dreams for any new signing, and the former Blackburn centre-back certainly put his name down in Argyle folklore from the start.

Plymouth must have been overjoyed with their recruit's first season in green, especially as they didn't pay a fee for Coughlan when they signed him from Scottish side, Livingston.

Coughlan wasn't just a one-season wonder

This imperious form was not just a blip for Coughlan, who continued to impress for Argyle over his next three seasons at the Devon-based side.

The 2002/03 season was one of stability for the Pilgrims with an eighth-placed finish in the Second Division. Coughlan was still ever-present, playing 42 times in the league, whilst scoring five goals and keeping 13 clean sheets.

Plymouth and the Irishman found their swagger again in the 2003/04 season, as they clinched the Second Division title with a points haul of 90.

He continued his goal-scoring form from the previous two seasons, as he scored seven across Argyle's league campaign.

Plymouth were extremely resolute in defence as well, with Coughlan being a part of a back four that kept 21 clean sheets.

In his final season at the club, Coughlan guided Plymouth to a 17th-place finish in the Championship. This wasn't a season of titles or impressive point totals but a clear marker of how far Argyle had come in Coughlan's time at the club.

An impressive piece of business by Argyle

Coughlan's signing represents a huge transfer coup by Plymouth.

A free transfer for a centre-back, who hadn't really set the world alight at any of his previous clubs, comes in and produces an outstanding portfolio of work at the club.

The Irishman managed two promotions in his four seasons with the club. He popped up with 25 goals across those seasons, and contributed to 74 clean sheets.

If Coughlan were available in today's market, it is fair to assume that he would command a large fee.