Plymouth Argyle have signed Will Evans from Mansfield Town on a two-year deal with the option of a further year, adding a forward they believe can strengthen the attack right away.
The 29-year-old arrives after a productive spell at Mansfield, where he scored 11 times last season and reached 49 goals across his last three seasons. For Plymouth, the move fills an obvious need after the club sold Lorent Tolaj to Bristol City earlier this summer.
Why Plymouth moved for Evans
Plymouth had been looking for another striker following Tolaj's departure, and Evans gives them a player with both recent scoring form and a clear fit for the role they want him to play. Tom Cleverley said he had wanted Evans for a long time and liked the way he fits into the team's style of play.
Cleverley also pointed to Evans' attitude and consistency, saying he wears his heart on his sleeve and can be improved further. He added that everything about the signing makes sense, especially because Evans gave Plymouth problems when the sides met last season.
What the move means
There is also a useful tactical angle here. Evans spent last season playing wide on the left for Mansfield, but Plymouth see him as a striker. That shift suggests the club believes it can get him into better goal-scoring positions and clean up some of the finishing chances that helped him become such a reliable scorer over the last three seasons.
Last October, Evans scored the opener in Mansfield's 2-0 win against Plymouth, a reminder of why he stayed on the club's radar. Now, instead of causing problems for Plymouth, he will try to solve one for them as they move forward with a new look in attack.
