Plymouth Argyle have made former Exeter City defender Alex Hartridge their first summer signing, agreeing a two-year deal with the 27-year-old ahead of his move to Home Park. He will become a free agent on 1 July when his contract at Burton Albion expires.

The timing matters because Plymouth have moved early to add a left-sided defender who can play in central defence or at left-back, and who already has League One experience. Hartridge made 18 appearances for Exeter City on loan in the second half of the 2024-25 season, after returning to the club where he came through the academy and made 154 first-team appearances in his first spell.

Tom Cleverley said Hartridge had a good season at Burton Albion and could help Plymouth in more than one position, adding that he had attributes in areas the club wanted to improve and that it was pleasing to secure him so early. Derek Adams was even more direct, saying good left-sided players are hard to come by and that Hartridge’s age and experience put him in a strong stage of his career.

That makes the move notable beyond the footballing fit. Hartridge left Exeter in the summer of 2024, then went back on loan last season, and now crosses a Devon divide that supporters on both sides will notice immediately. Plymouth have also effectively replaced Brendan Galloway, who was released last month, with a defender who knows the area and has already spent years in the local game.

For Hartridge, the next step is straightforward. He finishes at Burton on 1 July, becomes available, and then begins a two-year spell at Home Park as Plymouth continue their close-season rebuild. What remains to be seen is how quickly he forces his way into the side, but the club have already signalled that he is coming in to compete for more than one job.