Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Harry Clarke is a great fit both in terms of football and culturally.

TWTD revealed yesterday afternoon that the 21-year-old was on the verge of a return to the Blues, the club he left for Arsenal aged 14, with his £1 million move confirmed in the evening, the right-sided defender signing a deal which runs until the summer of 2026 with the club having an option for a further season.

“He’s got a fantastic attitude to work, to win and to try and get better,” McKenna told the club website.

“He’s one who is hopefully another great investment for the club. We think he’s a really good football and cultural fit. Culturally, he knows the area, he knows some of the players and he knows the club.

“He’s been to games at Portman Road before and from our conversations, he’s got a good feel for where we’re at as a team and how we do things.

“He’s had a good schooling in his time here and that continued when he moved to Arsenal. He's physical, he has a really good right foot and he's still got lots of room to develop.

“We’re hoping he can come in and contribute straight away. Of course, we have to make a decision around the game on Saturday and the game on Tuesday.”

McKenna says Clarke and earlier signings Leif Davis and Nathan Broadhead are players who have the potential to grow along with Town.

“The club has been very long-sighted and has been doing things in an intelligent manner,” McKenna continued.

“We certainly see a role and a position for him longer term that we want to develop him in, and that we think he has big potential in. He is also versatile and can fill several different roles across the backline.

“We want to improve the team and the squad now, and help our position now. If you talk about Leif Davis, Nathan Broadhead or Harry Clarke in terms of their age and their potential, we think they are players who can develop as the team grows. We believe they can take those steps with the team.

“It’s been fantastic backing from the club to make additions like those. We've been keeping an eye on the here and now with how we can help the team but also making sure we protect the interests of the club for the future.”

Clarke is the Blues’ fourth addition of the window following on from the short-term signing of Massimo Luongo, the loan addition of George Hirst and the permanent recruitment of Broadhead, all of whom were with Championship clubs either permanently or on loan prior to joining the League One Blues.

“It gives us great options for the second half of the season and beyond,” McKenna continued regarding the club’s January business.

“We’ve brought four really good players in the building now which gives us really good depth and numbers in all the positions we want.

“I’ve been happy with the squad all along. We're constantly looking to improve for the short and the long term. You only get a couple of months to do that in a calendar year.

“The club's aim is to keep improving and it’ll be the same for the next 10 days or so of this transfer window, but also in the next transfer window.

“When the opportunities are there to make sensible and progressive improvements to the playing squad, the club will look to do that.”

Photo: ITFC

Woolfenthen added 13:56 - Jan 20 Oh how I miss Marcus Evans..................NOT!
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Len_Brennan added 14:09 - Jan 20 “When the opportunities are there to make sensible and progressive improvements to the playing squad, the club will look to do that.” - Got to love that quote. Not just signing someone for the sake of it without a clear plan, but not afraid to spend money when the opportunity to sign someone the club has identified for short or long term value is there.
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kpblues added 15:14 - Jan 20 Not quite sure who he is going to displace as JD has had a good season but looking at his highlight reels he looks very strong on the ball, reads the game well, got an eye for attacking and goals, is a local product and (wait for it) can kick with both feet. Another good piece of business. These are exciting times and so different from the Marcus Evans era. COYB!
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Bert added 16:52 - Jan 20 This is everything the club has not been until the arrival of a management team that actually understands the business of football rather than just a balance sheet. We have probably added to the targets on our backs but with strength in depth and new playing options we should prevail and be playing Championship football next season.
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terryf added 17:06 - Jan 20 Thought JD had a better season last year and must have been close to Wes for player of the season. This term he's been not so consistent which maybe down to carrying an injury. Last season he linked up really well with Wes on overlaps but not so noticeable this season. HC coming off the bench just as GL does for LD would probably keep the energy levels on both flanks going for 90 minutes. Harry Clarke is a very astute signing and yet another curved ball thrown by Mark Ashton.

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Billericay12 added 17:27 - Jan 20 Spending money is also a lot easier with 25-30000 fans turning up every week ! And the reason for that is because we are being entertained unlike in previous times. You have to wonder if a couple may leave or go out on loan. We now have a big squad to keep happy.
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Karlosfandangal added 17:46 - Jan 20 The players Town are signing are not just to replace players. They are to be developed and be players who can cope with the Championship and push the club on
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ArnieM added 18:08 - Jan 20 Blue Army Blue Army Blue Army Blue Army Blue Army Blue Army Blue Army That's all 👍
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Linkboy13 added 18:17 - Jan 20 There's not quite so much mention of Mark Ashdon on this site seems to be losing his god like status with the fans. Im not saying he's doing a bad job but not all of his signings have been brilliant. McKenna obviously thinks the current squad is not good enough hence the new signings in the last couple of weeks.
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blues1 added 18:55 - Jan 20 Linkboy13. Ashton hasn't lost any of his kudos whatsoever. Just remember, he doesn't choose who we sign. He just gets the deals done. So to say some of "HIS" signings havent been great is inaccurate. They're not his signings. They're down to mckenna and the recruitment team we now have at the club.
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BurleysGloryDays added 20:36 - Jan 20 I love Kieran McKenna.
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Billericay12 added 22:18 - Jan 20 Mark Ashton is a top businessman. He gets the deals done and done early. He is without doubt totally committed and on the job 24/7. We are lucky to have him. The fact that he may not get mentioned on here all the time is a good thing. Let the manager and players take the credit (and the criticism if things don't always go according to plan). Like everyone I wish we were 10 points clear at the top but it's not as easy as that. My enthusiasm for the club and the team has gone up tenfold since the new regime. COYB

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bobble added 06:55 - Jan 21 a good back up goalie and we are going up up up and away
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Marinersnose added 13:46 - Jan 21 Agree with some previous posts regarding JD who has improved as a player and has been fairly consistent defensively. Clarke is a step up imo , yes he's young but having been with a top PL club since leaving us he has received good coaching and played with top players. He's also done well on loan and will slot in probably at the expense of JD who will most likely be a backup. KMK is looking forward and rightly so. Clark is quick and strong and is a baller with two feet. He will already know Woolfenden which is good for continuity. First 3 points required at Oxford

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