ARGYLE midfielder Damien Johnson has signed for League One rivals Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan. The surprise switch was completed yesterday afternoon, less than 48 hours before Argyle commence their 2010/11 League One campaign. Johnson had seemed primed to be a key member of manager Peter Reid's plans for the new season. Reid had repeatedly talked about the importance of the experienced central midfield pairing of Johnson and captain Carl Fletcher. But now Johnson has moved to Huddersfield, who were beaten play-off semi-finalists in League One last term. Reid has not elaborated on the reason why the 31-year-old has been allowed to leave Home Park. But Johnson is one of Argyle's top paid players and Reid is under pressure to reduce the size of the club's wage-bill. So that could have led to Johnson's departure, only six months after signing for the Pilgrims from Premier League club Birmingham City. Johnson's move opens the way for summer recruit Anton Peterlin or Luke Summerfield to partner Fletcher against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday. Reid said: "Sometimes circumstances dictate comings and goings at a football club, and this is one of those occasions. "Johnno has been brilliant for me since I arrived and I wish him good luck for this next stage of his career. "The lad's a terrific player and good pro but we have brought one or two people in -- Anton Peterlin has done well -- and we have got Carl Fletcher, Luke Summerfield, one or two players who can do the job in there." Johnson announced earlier this week he would be retiring from international football with Northern Ireland. He made 20 starting appearances for Argyle last season, after arriving from Birmingham, and scored two goals. Johnson's loan deal includes the stipulation he cannot play for Huddersfield against
Argyle in any league or cup games.