Argyle defender departs Plymouth as squad questions continue to grow

Plymouth Argyle have confirmed today (13 February) that an experienced defender has left the club to join a title-chasing central European side.

Kornel Szucs, who played predominantly as a centre-back or right-back, joined the Greens in August 2024, and made 64 appearances for the Devon side.

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The Hungarian was Argyle’s sixth signing of the summer window, with the transfer completed under then manager Wayne Rooney and former director of football Neil Dewsnip.

Szucs made 36 EFL Championship appearances last season, but has struggled for games under new head coach Tom Cleverley, starting just 11 of the 21 EFL League One matches he has played this season.

Cleverley has recently been open about his stance on the defender, reaffirming that the Hungarian was part of his plans, and saying he saw him ‘as a full-back’ with ‘an excellent attitude’.

The Devon side announced the defender’s departure on their website and social media channels on Friday afternoon, confirming a permanent deal to Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina.

FK Vojvodina, for whom the transfer window closes today, currently sit third in the Serbian SuperLiga, five points off leaders FK Crvena zvezda.

As for Argyle, fans are speculating what head coach Tom Cleverley and director of football Derek Adams will do next.

After the deadline day signings of Harding and Kane, the club announced it had chosen to de-register Ayman Benarous because the squad exceeded the permitted 22 outfield players aged 21 and over.

Szucs’ departure also comes just a day after the club announced that experienced midfielder Joe Ralls will be ruled out until the end of the season following a recent injury, leaving the team further depleted.

Fans have taken to social media to ask whether Argyle will re-register Benarous or if Cleverley will delve into the free-agent market for defensive reinforcements.

One fan, speaking on X, said: “We've gone from having a full squad of 22 and having to de-register a decent player, to only having 20 in the squad. I don't think that we can add Benarous back in, without special dispensation and with our injury record, we're seriously low on depth. Any free agents out there?”

Another added: “Although I wasn't particularly fussed about Benarous being de-registered, we have now lost 3 players since the end of the window. Ralls, Ayman, and now Kornel. Is there any way we can register Ayman again?

Argyle now face a busy end to February, with five games in the next fifteen days, four of which are away from home.

Members of the Green Army will be keeping a keen eye on how the club decides to fill the recent voids in the team.