Clarke's Pompey Loan Confirmed
Monday, 3rd Aug 2015 13:10

Portsmouth have confirmed that Town defender Matt Clarke has joined them on a youth loan until January 3rd. The 18-year-old has been with the League Two club for the last fortnight and has featured in their last three friendlies.

“I’m delighted to be here,” Clarke told Portsmouth’s official website. “I’ve already played a few games, so it’s great to have all the paperwork signed.

“I’ve enjoyed the matches that I’ve been involved in so far and have done alright, so now I want to improve from there.

“I spent a lot of time on the bench last season and just got a few minutes here and there, so I wanted to go out and hopefully get some more regular football.”

Town manager Mick McCarthy said at the weekend that Clarke would join Pompey today now that he'd added another defender, Danish international Jonas Knudsen, to his squad.

Previously, he said Barham-based Clarke needs to play senior games: “He’s a great kid and he’s a good player and he needs to play at a professional level.”

As the move is a youth loan rather than a regular half-season spell Town have been able to include a 24-hour recall clause, which is available after the first 28 days of the spell.

Former Claydon High School pupil Clarke made his senior debut for Town in last season’s Capital One Cup first round tie at Crawley Town - at left-back rather than in his usual central defensive role - and went on to make a further four sub appearances in the league.

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

SamWhiteUK added 13:18 - Aug 3 More defensive cover coming in then, do we reckon? Or was the Knudsen deal what McCarthy was waiting for?
1

PhilTWTD added 13:23 - Aug 3 Mick said on Saturday that the Knudsen deal meant he could confirm Clarke's move.
1

bluefeast added 13:30 - Aug 3 Have we ever had a player go out on loan and then make our 1st team. It seems not.
-2

BBKing added 13:36 - Aug 3 Bluefeast, some guy called Tommy Smith went out on loan then established himself.
1

bobwya added 13:38 - Aug 3 Bluefeast. Tommy Smith
1

ParisBlue added 13:43 - Aug 3 Does Jordan Rhodes count....?
1

mattfrost216 added 13:51 - Aug 3 If he has a superb season, Portsmouth win league two and he's player of the season, why shouldn't we consider him for the first team? Just because our loan signings don't break through that often, why can't one break the mould? He's played arse-all senior games, give the lad a chance! It's a good move for him and for us I think!
3