Derby County have confirmed the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion defender Matt Clarke on a season-long loan. The 23-year-old rejoins the Rams following a successful loan spell last campaign.
Matt Clarke Rejoins Derby County on Season-Long Loan
Second Spell at Pride Park for Player of the Year Clarke
Brighton defender Clarke has agreed to return on loan to Derby County for the 2020/21 season. The Englishman won the club’s Player of the Year award during his loan spell last season.
He featured 37 times for Phillip Cocu‘s side last year – not missing a minute of Championship football since December 30th.
The Derby boss reacted to the deal, by telling the club website: “I am extremely pleased that we have got Matt Clarke back after the great season he had with us.
“Especially in the second half of last season, he was excellent and the progress he made was huge after he had to adapt to a new way of playing with us.”
Derby narrowly missed out on the play-offs, eventually finishing tenth, but would’ve struggled to challenge whatsoever without Clarke’s consistent defensive performances.
A return looked on the cards after Brighton bolstered their defence this summer. The Seagulls have welcomed Ajax defender Joel Veltman to the club alongside Ben White, who returned from his loan spell with Leeds United.
Clarke High on Shortlist for Derby County
Derby were very keen for the 23-year-old to return to the club after his performances last season. Assured and calm on the ball, Clarke ticks the box of being a left-sided centre back to pair alongside either Andre Wisdom, Mike te Wierik or Curtis Davies.
The ex-Portsmouth man, who picked up Player of the Year awards in both of his last two seasons at the League One side, clearly has many admirers, with Derby at the top of that list.
A loan deal appears to work well for both clubs too. For Brighton, it gives them another year to decide if Clarke fits into the first-team picture at the AMEX; whilst Derby will be hoping that it will make them a close second-choice should he wish to move on from the South coast side next summer.
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