Plymouth Argyle have signed former Reading loanee, Lewis Gibson, after his Everton departure.

The 22-year-old played just 13 times under Veljko Paunovic during 2020/21, the season almost entirely played behind-closed-doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Everton for six years, he was offered a new deal at Goodison Park but has moved to Home Park pemanently.

The North-East native has spent time on loan in the Football League with Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.

Back in the Championship after 13 years in the wilderness of League One and League Two, Steven Schumacher has made three signings ahead of pre-season.

Speaking on the addition of Gibson, the 39-year-old said: "Lewis is an outstanding young defender who has excellent pedigree having come through the youth set-ups at two Premier League clubs.

"He has also had a number of loan spells in the Football League that have developed him in to the player he is today. We are signing a ball-playing central defender who has his best years ahead of him and has so much room for development.

"Left-sided defenders are also hard to come by, especially of Lewis' quality, and we beat off a number of clubs trying to clinch his services. We are delighted he has chosen his future is with Argyle and look forward to him running out at Home Park in the Championship."