Former Ipswich Town youngster Matt Clarke has re-joined Derby County from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee on a deal until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old centre-back returns to Pride Park, having spent time on loan with Rams from Brighton in both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Clarke was loaned out again by the Seagulls to West Brom for 2021/22, before joining Boro on a permanent deal in August 2022. He made 51 appearances and scored three goals during his spell at the Riverside Stadium.

He now joins Paul Warne's side, who also have fellow ex-Blues Callum Elder and Kayden Jackson in their ranks, while Marcus Harness is on loan from Town.

On joining Derby for a third time, he said: "It feels really good. As soon as I heard that there was a possibility to come back, I was over the moon.

Matt Clarke, pictured during his brief spell at Derby. (Image: PA) "I suppose it shows how much I've enjoyed being here, and I from the club's point of view, obviously you've done something right or it wouldn't keep bringing me back!

He added: "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."

The Suffolk-born Clarke came through the youth ranks at Town, and went on to make five senior appearances for the Blues, before Mick McCarthy used him as part of a player-plus-cash (£750k) deal for Adam Webster in 2016.