Ogbeta excited to take next step with Argyle

Nathanael Ogbeta has heard good things about Plymouth Argyle – now he is looking forward to being part of a club against whom he has fared well in the past.    

The 23-year-old became the Pilgrims’ first signing of the close season when agreeing to join Argyle following the expiry of his contract with Swansea City.  

While in South Wales, he played with current Argyle players Morgan Whittaker and Matty Sorinola, and is no stranger to fellow wing-back Bali Mumba, with whom he played on England youth duty.  

Ogbeta scored against Argyle whilst a Shrewsbury Town player, in a game the Shropshire side won 3-0 in 2020/21, and has been a notable adversary in the past. Now, he is looking forward to wearing the green and white.  

On the goal in the win for the Shrews, Nathanael said: “It was during Covid, so someone said it doesn't count, but I'm still going to claim that! I've played a few times against [Argyle]. I've played at Peterborough – and won that as well! 

“Every time we played Plymouth, it was always in the analysis, there was always a danger of [Ryan] Hardie up front, and the wing-backs always being attacking.  

“I've played against Plymouth quite a few times, and I really like the club. A couple of my old teammates have played here, and every one of them has fallen in love with the club.   

“Morgan, when he had to go back to Swansea, was absolutely gutted. The way he spoke about the club really had an impact on me. I'm really delighted to be here.  

“The one thing I hear about this club is it's a massive family club, and I think that's something that is amazing to hear. You want to be in a place where you feel settled. 

“For me, the next step of my career, it’s really nice to be in a club where you have that family feel. I'm coming from Swansea where there's loads of beaches and stuff like that. That's a big thing, I like to go and walk on the beaches. The area looks really nice.” 

When reporting for pre-season, Ogbeta will be playing under new Head Coach Wayne Rooney, who spoke to Nathanael prior to the 23-year-old coming on board and has also made an impression on the newcomer.  

“I really hope that with Wayne coming in, he’ll be someone that can really help me take my game to the next level and take this club to the next level as well,” said Nathanael.  

“The club informed him of the sort of players that they want to bring in, and he said that when he saw me and was able to see some of the footage, he was delighted and really wanted me to come in. The way he wants to play is an attacking style of play, and I'm an attacking full-back, wing-back type player that loves to be on the last line, being able to get crosses in and making things happen in the final third. 

“When he was telling me about what he wants to do and what he wants to implement, a lot of it sat really well with me and was in line with the type of game that I want to play here as well.    

“One of the best matchups that I had against [Argyle] was against Bali. I feel like me and Bali are very similar; we can manipulate the ball, go one-v-one, are very comfortable in possession, can go left or right. I feel like that's what I bring as well, getting crosses in, getting shots off, and being pivotal in build-up play. 

“I like to defend as well and that's a good thing. I've got a defensive mindset as well. It's not just all about attacking, I want to help the team stop crosses.  

“I feel like I bring calmness into football teams and that's what I'm trying to implement. Not panicking on the ball, not forcing things, but being able to manipulate things so I can go forward and really help the team advance.” 

You can watch the first interview with Nathanael Ogbeta right now on Argyle TV.