Plymouth Argyle have broken their transfer record to bring Morgan Whittaker back to the club on a permanent basis.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Home Park, where he scored nine goals and registered seven assists in 25 games before returning to Swansea City in January.
However, he has now secured a permanent move back to Argyle, who maintained their promotion push despite his mid-season departure to secure a return to the Championship for the 2023-24 campaign as League One winners.
Whittaker has put pen to paper on a four-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2027.
"Morgan really needs no introduction to the Green Army after his contributions in our title-winning campaign last season. He scored and created crucial goals in the time he was with us, and we were all naturally disappointed when he was recalled in January," manager Steven Schumacher told the club's official website.
"At just 22 he has so much room for growth and development, and we are thrilled he has decided that Home Park is the place he wants to do that. He gets fans off their seats and is one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL.
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— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) July 17, 2023
"He has been one of our main targets all summer, and it is a real coup to bring him back to the club. I know the fans will agree when I say I can't wait to see him run out in an Argyle shirt once again."
Plymouth director of football Neil Dewsnip added: "We identified Morgan as a player we wanted to bring back to the club after his contributions last season and we are delighted to get this one over the line.
"He fits the profile of player we like to work with, young and exciting, with loads of room for growth. We saw what he could do last year in League One, and there is no doubt in our minds that he will have a similar impact for us in the Championship this season.
"This is a club record deal for Argyle, and I want to thank Simon (Hallett) and the board for their continued support and faith in allowing us to bring in our top targets."
The exact fee for the deal has not been disclosed, but it is thought to be worth £1m plus add-ons, making Whittaker Plymouth's first seven-figure signing.
Argyle will face Torquay United in a friendly on Tuesday night, while they begin life back in the Championship at home to Huddersfield Town on August 5.
