Arsenal defender Harry Clarke joins Stoke City on season-long loan deal as the 21-year-old terminates his previous contract at Hibernian
- Arsenal academy product Harry Clarke joins Stoke City on season-long loan
- The 21-year-old ended his deal at Hibernian to move to the Championship club
- He becomes Stoke’s second summer signing following Aden Flint’s arrival
Stoke City have signed Arsenal defender Harry Clarke with the 21-year-old joining Michael O’Neill’s side on a season-long loan deal.
The academy graduate experienced senior football for the first time last season, enjoying spells at both Ross County and Hibernian.
The defender was set to continue at Hibs next season but terminated his deal at the club in pursuit of playing Championship football at Stoke City.
Harry Clarke, 21, will now undergo a fourth loan move away from Arsenal as he joins Stoke
Clarke will now undergo his fourth loan move away from Arsenal after making 25 appearances in Scotland last season.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has deemed Clarke surplus to requirements for the upcoming Premier League campaign with the defender still waiting to make his first-team debut for the club.
Speaking to the Stoke City club website, Clarke gave his thoughts on signing a deal at the Bet365 stadium saying: ‘I see Stoke City as a Premier League club like a lot of people do.
‘I want to be part of something special here this year.
Clarke terminated his contract at Scottish club Hibernian to join the Championship side
The Arsenal academy product is yet to make to his first-team debut at the club
‘It feels unreal coming to a club like this. It’s been a dream to play in the Championship for a while now so it’s good that it’s finally over the line.
‘Obviously we had to deal with leaving Hibs, which had to be done the right way, but I’ve been excited about it ever since I heard about it,’ he said.
Clarke becomes Stoke’s second signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Aden Flint from Cardiff City.
Stoke finished 14th in the Championship last season, 14 points adrift of the playoffs.
