AMERICAN businessman George Synan believes Plymouth Argyle are a "sleeping giant" – and one which needs to be awoken, following yesterday's restructuring of the Home Park board room.

Synan joined fellow Argyle directors, including new chairman Sir Roy Gardner and director Keith Todd, to offer the public voice of the club's largest single shareholder, Yasuaki Kagami, who, it has been confirmed, has increased his stake in the Coca-Cola Championship outfit to 38 per cent.

Kagami's Tokyo-based KKShonan company has been looking to increase its influence within the Pilgrims since early this year, and last week's purchase of shares from former Argyle director Phill Gill gave the firm the large stake it now owns.

With Kagami back in his native land, yesterday it was left to Synan to outline the thoughts and visions of his fellow director.

"We are very excited by today's announcement," said Synan. "In business, we know things can take years, but, what you see here and what happened today, I believe the stars are aligned.

"We got what we wanted, which was an increase in our shareholding, together with a partner that was aligned to our goals of continuing to move and push Plymouth to a higher level.

"We believe, when we sat down with Sir Roy Gardner and Keith Todd, we had the right people alongside us. Sir Roy is a winner. He knows how to win, and how everything is done. We are tremendously excited that both he and Keith are up for the challenge.

"At the same time, Paul Stapleton and the other directors have been outstanding. In terms of what Paul has done as a businessman, I think it's just amazing."

Synan added: "For sure, Plymouth have punched above their weight, but to have a team which is not strapped in debt, and which has a tremendous up-side, to take it as far as Paul has, I think he has done brilliant.

"For that, we wanted to reward him and the others. They will still be an integral part of the new board going forward, but, with the new blood and a new set of eyes looking on things, I'm sure you will see some exciting things happen."

With the new partnership targeting Premier League football within five years, as well as expanding e-commerce operations based around the club's brand, Synan insists that the future of the Pilgrims looks bright, both locally and internationally.

"This is a great opportunity," said Synan. "We [KKShonan] would not have invested in this if we didn't think it could happen. And Sir Roy would not have wasted his time if he didn't think it could happen.

"Both Mr Kagami and myself see tremendous potential here, and we feel this whole transaction has added tremendous value to our investment, and that is why we wanted to increase our shares.

"We feel very confident in the current board and the direction we are going to take this. Paul [Stapleton] runs a tight ship and, with this new partnership, we have the ability to take off from this point. We're continuing to get more and more excited about it. The excitement was a factor, and the comfort level was a factor to increase our activities."

He added: "We all understand the club is a sleeping giant, but now it's ready to be awoken. Tonight we have 18,000 people coming to watch Rod Stewart here, we need 19,000 on a match-day.

"It has to be a two-way street, however. We need the support of the community, and in return we will try and put the best team on the pitch and we'll look to move forward in terms of a new grandstand."