Matt Clarke's two-and-a-half-year stay at Middlesbrough has come to an end, as he completed a permanent switch to Derby County.

The defender enjoyed a two-year loan spell at Pride Park from 2019, winning the club's Player of the Year award in his first season. Having fallen down the pecking order at Boro, and with Derby set to sell centre-back Eiran Cashin to Clarke's former side Brighton, the Rams moved to reunite with Clarke. He has signed an initial short-term deal until the end of the season at his new club.

For Boro, the move comes as they look to trim their squad before the end of the window and add some extra funds in order to get a few more deals of their own over the line. As things stand, it's not yet decided if they will push for a replacement, with bigger priorities in the squad to fill.

READ MORE: Mark Travers and Glen Kamara latest as Middlesbrough push for more incoming transfers

READ MORE: Ben Doak's exciting future mapped after Liverpool's crucial Middlesbrough decision

Having fallen behind Dael Fry, Rav van den Berg and George Edmundson in the pecking order, Clarke was seen as dispensable by Boro as the defender was keen to explore options that would offer more regular game time. Out of contract at the end of the season, Boro did have an option to extend for a further 12 months, but have taken the option to move the defender on for a fee now.

"It feels really good," Clarke said of his return to Pride Park. "As soon as I heard that there was a possibility to come back, I was over the moon. I suppose it shows how much I've enjoyed being here, and I suppose from the club's point of view, obviously you've done something right, and it wouldn't keep bringing me back.

"I was around the squad at Middlesbrough but not playing as many minutes as I'd like, so I was looking to get some game time. Derby popped up and these things may take a bit of time going backwards and forwards, which can feel like forever, but it’s happened and I'm happy to be here."

Clarke had an interesting spell at the Riverside. Initially signed by Chris Wilder as a much-coveted left-sided centre-back in a three, the 28-year-old won Player of the Year in four of his prior five seasons before joining Boro. However, just six games into his Boro move, he suffered a back injury that ended up costing him over a year of his career.

Upon returning last November, he was eased back into the picture by Michael Carrick and, with injuries blighting Boro throughout the campaign, he ended up playing a starring role in a really strong end to an otherwise disappointing campaign. Though he started the season as first-choice and did well, an injury meant he lost his place in the side. With Edmundson then establishing himself, Clarke struggled to regain his place as Fry also returned from a nine-month lay-off in fine form.

From Carrick's perspective, there's always been a feeling that Clarke - who has without doubt proven his defensive strengths over the last 12 months or so - was just uncomfortable with the style and tempo the Boro boss demands of his defenders in playing out from the back. It’s another, like Isaiah Jones earlier in the month, where the move just suited all parties.