Jay Matete talks his memorable time at Plymouth Argyle

Loanee Jay Matete has thanked Plymouth Argyle for a memorable time at the club in which he secured a second successive promotion. The 22-year-old made 19 League One appearances during his loan spell at Home Park.

Matete arrived in January to add depth and quality to the Pilgrims’ eventual successful promotion charge. Steven Schumacher’s men were promoted as champions as they ended on 101 points.

He has now returned to Sunderland, where he has three years left on his contract, and will be part of the Black Cats’ pre-season plans. He could lock horns with the Greens again next season after Tony Mowbray’s men were beaten by Luton Town 3-2 on aggregate in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

“I came into a winning culture,” said Matete to Argyle TV. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Every time I stepped on the pitch, I just tried to embrace it, and enjoy it.

“I love winning, so I felt like I fitted in quite well within the group. Demands are high within the players, the staff, everyone. It was just about me maintaining my own standards and not trying to let anyone down.

“It was unreal. Honestly, it’s unreal. When I first came in, I got introduced to everyone, I was maybe a bit nervous, but they just brought me into the changing room, everyone was cool with me. I’ve met some teammates there that I’ll probably speak to for a long time.

“The goal when I signed was to get promoted – and we won the league. Objective: completed.”

(Image: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK)

He joined the squad the night before the Greens’ away game at Bolton Wanderers, and was quickly thrust into action the following day, as a substitute in a 0-0 draw. Matete’s home debut, a 4-2 win against Cheltenham Town, saw the midfielder provide a memorable assist for Sam Cosgrove, and he scored his only Argyle goal in a 3-1 win at Morecambe.