Why Plymouth Argyle have signed Mathias Ross - Tom Cleverley has confirmed the reason | OneFootball

The Pilgrims have bolstered their squad with the addition of the Danish defender.

Plymouth Argyle have signed Danish defender Mathias Ross on a free transfer following his departure from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

The Pilgrims have completed a deal to sign the 24-year-old on a free transfer after his contract at Galatasaray was cancelled by mutual consent earlier this summer - a year before it was due to expire.

Tom Cleverley has already added one new centre-back to his ranks this week, with Alex Mitchell having moved to Home Park on loan from Championship side Charlton Athletic, but the 23-year-old could not prevent Argyle suffering their fourth league defeat in a row against Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.

Given Plymouth's dire start to the 2025/26 League One season, it is no huge surprise that they have strengthened further with the addition of Ross, as they will need to improve a defence that has conceded 11 goals in five games if they are going to be successful this term.

Cleverley's side face Blackpool this weekend, and the signing of Ross could give the Pilgrims a much-needed lift ahead of their clash with the Tangerines, who have also made a slow start to the new campaign.

Tom Cleverley explains Mathias Ross deal

Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley discussed the signing of Ross via the official club website.

"I am delighted we have managed to strengthen our defensive options with our second signing of the week," Cleverley said.

"Mathias joins with excellent pedigree having played plenty of games at a high level, considering he is still only 24.

"He will complement our squad perfectly and challenge our current defenders for a place in the team. I want to welcome him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him in action very soon."

Mathias Ross signing could be key for Plymouth Argyle

Given that Plymouth have looked somewhat shaky defensively during the early weeks of the season, as well as the fact that Julio Pleguezuelo is out for an extended period with a knee injury, the signing of Mathias Ross should come as welcome news to the supporters.

The 6ft 2in centre-back joined Galatasaray from his hometown club Aalborg BK for a fee in the region of £1.5 million in 2022, although he never played a league game for the club before he was released this summer, with his only two appearances coming in the early rounds of the Türkiye Kupasi during the year of his arrival.

Dutch side NEC Nijmegan paid around £215,000 to take Ross on loan during the 2023/24 season, before he spent last season on loan at Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic.

The 24-year-old played UEFA Champions League football for Sparta Prague last term, and even turned out against Atlético Madrid in that competition, but the Czech outfit decided against making the move permanent for around £1 million when his loan came to an end earlier this year.

The signing of Ross could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Argyle, who were relegated from the Championship last season, as clubs in the second tier were reportedly interested in the defender earlier this summer.

Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Preston North End were said to have made approaches to sign the former Denmark under-21 international back in July, according to Football Insider.

Now, it seems that those three clubs turned their attention elsewhere, which has allowed Plymouth to swoop in, and they have picked up Ross on a free transfer instead.

It will be interesting to see how the defender adapts to life in England, but he has gained experience of moving clubs during his career so far, so Plymouth will hope that he can hit the ground running and help turn their season around.