What Jordan Houghton had to say about leaving Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

The former Plymouth Argyle star has penned an emotional message to Pilgrims supporters after his Stevenage switch was confirmed.

Jordan Houghton has penned a heartfelt tribute to Plymouth Argyle and its supporters after his Home Park exit was confirmed.

The 29-year-old central midfielder has called time on his Argyle career, signing with fellow League One side Stevenage on 6 June.

Plymouth had offered him the chance to continue his four-year association with the club this summer, but the former MK Dons man opted to make the switch to the Lamex Stadium instead.

Jordan Houghton pens emotional goodbye message to Plymouth Argyle

Posting to his X account on 6 June, Houghton captioned a collection of some his most memorable moments in a Plymouth Argyle shirt with a moving goodbye message to the club and its supporters.

"Leaving a club is never easy, especially a club where you have so many amazing memories on and off the pitch," Houghton began.

"Four years, 184 appearances, having the honour of wearing the armband, representing this great club, Chelsea away, The Papa John's road to Wembley, the Liverpool and Man City FA Cup ties.

"Of course, League One 101-point champions and the following year staying in the Championship on the final day. So many incredible experiences, made extra special being backed by you: the Green Army.

"Plymouth will always have a special place in our hearts! We moved when our first daughter, Nova, was just three months old, and since then, our family has grown from three to four with our daughter, Aria Ocean, being born here (Ocean so she always remembers she was born in the Ocean City!).

"We have also made some amazing friends here, friends for life who have helped to make these last four years so special, and made Plymouth feel like home. I didn't make this decision lightly, but I feel this was ultimately the right decision for myself, my career, and my family.

"I want to thank everyone at Argyle: former managers, teammates, and most of all, the fans for all your support over the years.

"I'll look forward to playing away at Home Park again this season! Jordan."

Jordan Houghton void will be tough for Plymouth Argyle to fill

Having first introduced himself to the Home Park faithful all the way back in March 2016, when he joined on a short-term loan deal from Chelsea, Houghton has become a real fan-favourite among Argyle supporters over the years.

Unfortunately, he and Plymouth couldn't quite get over the League Two promotion line in that 2015/16 season, but the Pilgrims would the following year.

After spells with Doncaster Rovers and MK Dons respectively in the years that followed, Houghton would eventually find his way back to Home Park in the summer of 2021 as a far more experienced and refined midfielder.

Since then, he's made 171 appearances for the club, and was part of that unforgettable Argyle side that stormed to the League One title in 2022/23 with over 100 points.

Houghton has anchored Plymouth's midfield admirably over the last four seasons, with his consistent performance levels sure to be a real miss for Argyle moving forward.

As such, they may well require the likes of Caleb Roberts and Malachi Boateng to take big steps forward in their respective development next season, as the Pilgrims look to ensure their return to League One is nothing more than a passing visit on their way back to Championship football.