Plymouth Argyle dealt triple blow but it was inevitable after what's happened | OneFootball

Plymouth have lost three of their key players already this summer, but that's one of the inevitable costs of relegation from any division.

Plymouth Argyle have already lost three of their key players this summer, with Ryan Hardie, Mustapha Bundu and Adam Randell leaving the club.

Plymouth have a busy summer ahead, following relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Head coach Miron Muslic has already left for the German giants Schalke 04 and has been replaced by the former Watford boss Tom Cleverley.

And Cleverley has his work cut out ahead of the start of the new season, with three of the club's key players from last season having already left the club.

Hardie, Bundu and Randell have already moved on to pastures new

Three key players to have left Plymouth already this summer are Ryan Hardie, Mustapha Bundu and Adam Randell having departed for pastures new.

Two of these three have opted to stay in the Championship. Hardie has joined newly-promoted Wrexham following their promotion from League One, while Randell has moved to Bristol City.

But there are many options for players seeking a new challenge these days, and it's not all about staying in the same division.

Mustapha Bundu has opted to leave England altogether, moving to Germany to join the 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

Plymouth's triple loss is a reminder of the hidden costs of relegation

There are different reasons why a player would choose to leave a club.

Bundu was at the end of his contract, and had already played in Denmark, Belgium and Andorra prior to joining Plymouth in 2023. His two-year contract was up, and a fresh challenge following relegation could be just the fresh start he needs.

He performed well last season; scoring 10 goals for a relegated team is no mean feat. Indeed, in losing Hardie as well, Plymouth have lost both of their joint top scorers from the 2024-25 season.

But Hardie and Randell left under slightly different circumstances.

Wrexham triggered a release clause which was reported to be set at around £700,000 for Hardie's signature.

Adam Randell, meanwhile, was 'one of their own', having been born in Plymouth and coming up through their academy.

He signed for Bristol City for another undisclosed fee, which has been reported to have been less than £1 million.

Plymouth have already brought in replacements. Bradley Ibrahim has joined from Hertha Berlin, while Jack MacKenzie has arrived from Aberdeen, Jamie Paterson from Coventry, and Caleb Watts from Exeter.

But the club have lost a lot of experience this summer with the departures of Bundu, Hardie and Randell, which Tom Cleverley will have to work without next season.

A fresh start for these three players also means a fresh start for Plymouth as well, as they prepare to try and get back to the Championship as quickly as possible.