Matt Clarke addresses Derby County relegation fears after Middlesbrough transfer
Matt Clarke insists he has no worries about Derby County’s league position as he moves to Pride Park for the third time in his career.
The centre back has become the club’s second transfer window signing after he arrived from Middlesbrough, this time on a permanent contract until the end of the season following two spells when he was a Brighton player from 2019-2021.
He moves to the club after a season-ending injury sustained by Curtis Nelson and amid speculation linking Eiran Cashin with a move to the Seagulls – and with the Rams third bottom of the table, two points from safety.
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“It feels really good to be back, as soon as I heard there was a possibility to come back I was over the moon. The third time I suppose shows how much I have enjoyed being here and I suppose I must have done something right,” Clarke told Rams TV.
“I was in a situation where I was around the squad but not paying as many minutes as I would like so I was looking to get out and get some game time somewhere. Derby popped up, it takes a bit of time going backwards and forwards and it can feel like forever but it all got done and I am happy to be here.”
The last time Clarke was a Rams player they had just won the battle to stay in the Championship, before points deductions saw the club relegated the following season. He claims he followed the club’s prospects ever since.
“I have kept an eye out, I have seen the year I left wasn’t so good, then to have a period and come back up, I get the impression it’s in maybe a better place than when I last left. Hopefully I can help the team and help the club.
“The nature of the league there is such a long way to go and it can change so quickly, you want to go on a bit of a run, pick up some momentum and it can soon look completely different so that’s not something that worries me too much.”
