Plymouth Argyle: You may be very surprised where these 3 ex-Pilgrims stars are playing now | OneFootball

The Greens of yesteryear are playing their football all over the world after departing Home Park

With the turnover of players being so high in the modern game, plenty of stars who fall off the radar the moment they leave a football club for further afield.

A hero on the terraces one minute, and another player among the thousands playing worldwide the next; life moves on, and contracts come and go.

With that in mind, here are three Plymouth Argyle players who have flown the nest since leaving Home Park, and gone to play further afield, leaving the comforts of the Football League behind in the process.

Where this trio have ended up may surprise you, with the former Argyle heroes spread far and wide across the globe following their departure from Devon.

Carl McHugh

Carl McHugh was a steady presence across the backline after making the move to join Argyle from Bradford City in 2014, with the Irishman playing in a variety of positions, including in defensive midfield.

Utilised heavily by both John Sheridan and Derek Adams during their respective times at the club, the former Bantam played his part in a side that featured in the League Two play-offs in back-to-back seasons, although both ended in defeat.

After his second season at the club, McHugh caused controversy upon his departure from the club, having reportedly agreed to extend his deal with the Pilgrims, before moving to Scottish Premiership side Motherwell instead.

Since then, he has made a name for himself in Indian football, having made the move to Calcutta-based Indian Super League side ATK in May 2019.

Last summer, the Irishman moved to FC Goa to continue his journey through the subcontinent, and continues to be a regular part of the Gaurs’ side.

Arriving at Home Park in the summer of 2017, Ruben Lameiras made quite the name for himself during his time as a Pilgrim, with his skill and technique in the final third proving too hot to handle for many a League One defender.

The Portuguese star netted 17 league goals across his two seasons with the club, although the second of which saw the club drop back down into the fourth tier, leaving their playmaker ready to set sail for pastures new.

A return back to his homeland followed, with stints at a number of sides in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on his CV, including the likes of Famalicao and Vitoria Guimaraes.

Chaves and Casa Pia have also had him on their books in recent seasons, while September 2024 saw the playmaker pack his bags and head to the Middle East, after agreeing a deal to sign for Qatari Second Division side Al-Sailiya SC.

Lewis Alessandra

Although he may not be in such exotic places as his former Pilgrims, Lewis Alessandra is still plying his trade in non-league as a 35-year-old, having joined phoenix club Bury FC earlier this season.

The forward missed just six league matches during his two-year spell as an Argyle player between the summers of 2013 and 2015, such was his importance to the side under John Sheridan’s tenure at Home Park.

The former Morecambe man’s stunning League Cup brace against Birmingham City will likely be the abiding memory from his time in green, while his tricky movement and eye for goal contributed towards a turnaround in fortunes at Home Park following near-financial ruin.

Since then, the attacker has made his way across various northern outposts, including the likes of Rochdale, York City, Hartlepool United and Notts County, before a return to Morecambe for the 19/20 campaign.

Carlisle United was the frontman’s final foray in league football, before making the move to upwardly mobile South Shields in the summer of 2022.

After spending the previous campaign at Hyde United, a move to Bury came in August, with the resurrected former EFL club aiming to clamber up the footballing pyramid towards a return of their former glories.

The striker netted twice in the Shakers’ run to the Fourth Qualifying Round of this season’s FA Cup, before falling at the final hurdle before the First Round Proper after a 2-1 defeat to Harborough Town.

With promotion from the North West Counties Premier Division the aim this season, Alessandra’s EFL experience could prove all the difference in getting his new side over the line, having fallen in the play-off final during the previous campaign.