Sheffield United have confirmed the loan signing of Town right-back Harry Clarke, beating their Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday to the 23-year-old’s signature.

Clarke underwent a medical at Bramall Lane today and finalised the formalities on a loan for the rest of the season, the Blades, who are second in the Championship, having made a late move for the defender, who had also been the subject of a bid by the Owls and was interesting other sides at the same level.

Brantham-born Clarke, who is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2026 with the club having an option for a further season, has looked less likely to get regular football with Town during the second half of the season following the Blues’ signing of Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta.

“Where the boys are here, going for promotion, it was a no-brainer really,” he told the Blades website regarding the move. “I've played here a few times and the atmosphere at Bramall Lane is incredible.

“I remember playing my last game at Stoke here at Bramall Lane and the atmosphere before and during the game, well it was tough being on the opposite side! I can't wait to being on the right side of it now.

“It's a tough league; anyone can beat anyone on their day. I know what it took last year so hopefully I can bring that experience. I am young but I've been there, so hopefully we can achieve something this year.”

He says he spoke to former Blues striker Kieffer Moore, who spent the second half of last season at Portman Road, and one-time Stoke City teammate Tyrese Campbell before making the move.

“I rang Kieffer. He said he put in a good word with the boss!” Clarke joked. “I spoke to Ty and he said it was great here and the lads were brilliant, so I can't wait to get going.”

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder added: “It's an area where we have been looking to strengthen, and we're delighted to bring in someone of Harry's quality to bolster our ranks.

“He's young but has got good experience for his age and knows what it's like to be successful at this level. He's someone we've identified over a period of time, and we're really pleased he's chosen to come here when others have shown interest.”

Clarke, who rejoined his boyhood club from Arsenal in January 2022, has made eight appearances for Town this season, four starts and four games from the bench.

We understand Sheffield United made an approach to the Blues to sign Luke Woolfenden on loan earlier in the window but Town were only interested in doing a permanent deal for the central defender, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Elsewhere, former Blues defender Matt Clarke, 28, has rejoined his former loan club Derby County from Middlesbrough on a permanent basis, signing a deal to the end of the season.

Photo: Matchday Images

cooper4england added 16:56 - Jan 29 Good luck Harry. Once a blue........
9

flykickingbybgunn added 17:02 - Jan 29 Go for it Harry. Show 'em what you can do. Good luck.
5

bedsitfc added 17:06 - Jan 29 Nice to see players that can’t or shouldn’t get into our premier squad going out on loan. Like both Harry and Ali but not good enough for premier unfortunately
-9

del45 added 17:09 - Jan 29 Great for him, now let's sign someone or loan.
3

ArnieM added 17:13 - Jan 29 He doesn’t look right in red does he! Good luck Harry for the remainder of the season. Knock em dead especially those budgies
17

blues1 added 17:30 - Jan 29 Del45. Why do we need to sign anyone on loan to replace him? Hes gone bcse he wasnt gonna get regular football bcse we've got enough players in his position already.
1

Bramidan added 17:30 - Jan 29 Always a shame to lose one of our own but an opportunity for him to improve and get experience for his return.
6

Scuzzer added 17:42 - Jan 29 Shame. I think he could have become useful to us...right along that right side with the possibility of further injuries.
3

ImAbeliever added 17:59 - Jan 29 All the best boy, come back even better.
5

ImAbeliever added 18:01 - Jan 29 1 out, 1 in, not a replacement.
1

ImAbeliever added 18:01 - Jan 29 1 out, 1 in, not a replacement.
0

ITFCson added 18:06 - Jan 29 A real shame it appears Wolfie’s days appear numbered with us looking to sell permanently. One of our best performers when he got back into the team a while back.
5

OldFart71 added 18:27 - Jan 29 Good luck Harry. Would like to see you back at Town one day as nobody can ever deny you gave your all. Sadly for you and a few other guys who put us where we are the Premier League was one step too much. The sad fact is the likes of Chappers and Woolfy may not be with us if we dropped down a League so it makes you wonder who out of the players replacing these players will no longer be with us either. Some will see themselves as being too good and some will be sold because of their asset value.

1

trncbluearmy added 18:30 - Jan 29 Managed to get the standard quote in about the atmosphere,which in my experience is crap,training ground must be rank as well,didn't get a mention. Hope to see Harry back and good enough to hold down a first team place,still young and learning
2

Leejames99 added 20:38 - Jan 29 We won't sell anyone if we go down unless it's for huge money and the only one at the mo who we may get huge profit on is Delap and if god forbid we down and a club offers 40 million I'd bite their hand off, he is not finished article yet and isn't prolific as yet and I think he would stay, they on long contracts and will be fully aware they might have a season in Championship, we are building for future not to become a selling club. Too much hype on Delap at the moment, Lineker hates Ipswich. Good luck Harry this loan will do you good to come back ready to claim your spot back. COYB

2

del45 added 22:38 - Jan 29 Blues1 i did not say a replacement for Clarke I someone on loan in required positions.
0

BlueMoolay added 07:58 - Jan 30 All the best Harry and thanks for everything. Hope to see you again soon. Triple fist pump.!!!
1

lozklein added 10:49 - Jan 30 I thought it was Jack Clarke being loaned out when I read the headline!
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lozklein added 10:50 - Jan 30 Shame the local boys Harry and Woolfy are being let go
1

timbousa added 15:42 - Jan 30 The upcoming Jhon Duran move shows just how hard it is to find a good striker at a reasonable price, when it comes to the budgets that Ipswich have. He's a fine player, a substitute at Villa, but would be a step up for us. And he's going to move for £65m, probably three times anything we could get close to in the winter window.
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