New director Kagami visits Argyle

PLYMOUTH Argyle's Japanese director Yasuaki Kagami is making his first visit to Home Park this afternoon.

Kagami, president of K&K Shonan Management Corporation, purchased a 20 per cent stake in the Championship club in April.

Now Kagami has found time in his busy business schedule to make the trip from Tokyo to Plymouth.

He is being accompanied by his American associate George Synan, the senior vice-president of K&K.

Kagami will meet Argyle's four other directors – chairman Paul Stapleton, Robert Dennerly, Phill Gill and Tony Wrathall – and be shown around Home Park.

His visit is sure to heighten speculation about the possibility of Argyle signing a Japanese international player in the near future.

One name that has been mentioned is midfielder Keita Suzuki, who plays for J League club Urawa Red Diamonds.

Synan told The Herald in April that: “We would like to get Japanese players over as soon as possible – if they fit in.

“We would like to use our resources and contacts, hopefully, to bring in top-flight players.”

There is also the strong probability that Argyle could carry out a pre-season tour of Japan next year.

Argyle's directors were holding a board meeting this morning, but Kagami was not expected to arrive in Plymouth in time for it.

Instead, he was to be represented by K&K's international advisor, Plymouth businessman Tony Campbell.

One topic sure to be on the agenda at the board meeting was Hull City's continued interest in Argyle midfield ace Peter Halmosi.

There is speculation the newly-promoted Premier League club have tabled a £1.8 million bid for the Hungarian international.

However, Argyle are thought to value the talented 28-year-old at £3m.

Kagami is committed to assisting Argyle in their plans to complete the rebuilding of Home Park with the construction of a new South Stand.

And that has taken a step forward with the club advertising in trade magazine Estates Gazette for a 'development partner for a mixed use scheme'.

Argyle believe they need to generate income additional to matchday revenue so the club can continue to thrive.

Stapleton told shareholders at Argyle's annual general meeting in March that he was 'optimistic' contracts could be signed to start the work within 12 months.

The advertisement in the Estates Gazette confirmed the approximate development site would be 5.5 acres.

It also stated the redevelopment of the South Stand would be accompanied by a hotel, conference and banqueting, leisure, a sports retail outlet and student/key worker accommodation.

Developers have been invited to contact Bristol-based property consultants GVA Grimley for further information.

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