Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

[paul_oshea]

Ah breen was much more a liability in a much less assured defence

[third policeman]

Agree with that. Clark is a cultured footballer who possibly should have remained a defensive midfielder which is where he started out. Is prone to the occasional lapse of concentration which is more likely to have disastrous consequences when playing at CB. Never deserved the abuse he got on this forum.

[Fixer82]

Ah breen was much more a liability in a much less assured defence

I actually disagree with that. For the last 4 or so years of his ireland career, Breen barely put a foot wrong iirc.

I was at the Belgium game in Euro 2016 and screaming (along with others beside me) at Clark, ‘don’t jump into that tackle’. He jumped into the tackle and they scored.
If he’d gotten that rashness out of his game he’d have been class.
Never a million miles away from making a mistake unfortunately

[Demesne Lad]

Clark scored with a headed goal v Coventry City (26 Dec).

[third policeman]

Could well be back in the PL next season playing alongside Egan.

[pineapple stu]

Interesting clip of Clark here from last month's game against Wigan. Shirt-pulling in the box from a corner - and in fact Clark's jersey is literally pulled off him, but no penalty and Wigan break from the corner, so he has to sprint back with his jersey in his hand

https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldunited/videos/590174569588899/

[Demesne Lad]

On the injured list at Sheffield Utd but back in training "doing bits and pieces on the grass..." (Sheffield Star, 18 Jan).

[Demesne Lad]

Played 75 mins today for the Blades in the U-21 derby win over the Owls, as he continues to recover from injury.

[Demesne Lad]

Scored Sheffield Utd's fourth today, at home to Cardiff City.

[pineapple stu]

Released by Newcastle, unsurprisingly.

34 in Sept, and didn't really make a huge impression at Sheffield United who are now promoted, so probably unlikely to be making that a permanent move.

[Snapshot]

Released by Newcastle, unsurprisingly.

34 in Sept, and didn't really make a huge impression at Sheffield United who are now promoted, so probably unlikely to be making that a permanent move.


To be fair, Stu, he was injured for about 85% of the season and did in fact play well in five or six starts (scoring two goals). I think he'll find a Championship club quite easily.

[pineapple stu]

Ah - fair. I didn't realise he'd had that tough a time with injury

It seems he's not really an option at senior level any more, but a permanent move to Sheffield United would still be a good outcome I think

[Colbert Report]

Has he been linked with anyone? Still a free agent.

[Demesne Lad]

Has he been linked with anyone? Still a free agent.

I was surprised that Clark didn't get a new club before the transfer window closed. Given that he is a free agent, I thought that something might develop today (Monday) and wondered if e.g. Blackburn or Middlesbrough might be interested. According to Alan Nixon (The Sun) and Football League World, however, it is Alex Neil and Stoke who are bargain hunting.

Stoke City set to sign Ciaran Clark (footballleagueworld.co.uk) (https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/stoke-city-poised-to-finalise-transfer-swoop-for-free-agent-defender/)

[John83]

It may suit a free agent to wait until the transfer window closes. Clubs that missed out on targets may panic and negotiate poorly.

[tetsujin1979]

Signs a contract with Stoke until the end of the season
https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2023/october/10/ciaran-clark-signs-for-stoke-city/

[Demesne Lad]

Partners Luke McNally in the Stoke back four, away at QPR.

[pineapple stu]

Released by Stoke after just three games this season. New manager didn't fancy him at all it seems; rarely even on the bench. 35 in September and you'd imagine he'll be dropping a division at best.

[Demesne Lad]

Clark (35 next month) was one of about 30 players without contracts to take part in a 10-week camp in Leicestershire, organised by the PFA. As of late July, Clark had had “bits of interest, but nothing concrete”. Others attending included Dwight Gayle and Romaine Sawyers.

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/innovative-training-camp-released-footballers-new-clubs-3186756

[tetsujin1979]

Aiden O'Brien was on one of those as well

[elatedscum]

Aiden O'Brien was on one of those as well

Sean Maguire too