John Clarke (footballer, born 2004) explained

John Clarke
Birth Date:24 April 2004
Position:Left-back
Currentclub:Reading
Clubnumber:33
Youthclubs1:Stockport Town
Youthyears2:2021–2022
Youthclubs2:Port Vale
Years1:2022–
Clubs1:Reading
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U19
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:21:45, 1 December 2022 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:14:57, 28 September 2022 (UTC)

John Clarke (born 24 April 2004) is an Irish footballer who plays as a left-back for club Reading.

Club career

Clarke joined Port Vale's youth team from Stockport Town in 2021.[1] On 22 June 2022, Reading signed Clarke to join their under-23 team.[2] After impressing during the 2022–23 pre-season, Clarke made his debut for Reading on 6 August, coming on as a late substitute for Junior Hoilett in their 2–1 victory over Cardiff City at the Madejski Stadium.[3] However, manager Paul Ince confirmed that Clarke missed the rest of the season after sustaining a knee ligament injury in December.[4] He signed a new contract in July 2023.[5] He returned to fitness in December 2023.[6] On 23 May 2024, Reading announced they had extended their contract with Clarke for another season.[7]

International career

Clarke was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-19 team for the first time in August 2022 for a three-day training camp.[8] He made his debut for the U19 team on 24 September 2022, in a 2–0 win over Wales U19 in a 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier.[9]

Style of play

Clarke is an attacking left-back.[1]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Reading2022–23EFL Championship30001040
2023–24EFL League One0000000000
2024–25EFL League One0000000000
Total0000000000
Career total3000100040

Notes and References

  1. News: Baggaley . Michael . New signings join hopefuls in Billy Paynter's Port Vale under-18s . 8 August 2022 . StokeonTrentLive . 28 June 2021 . en.
  2. News: Earnshaw . James . New faces and old sign on for another season with Reading FC Academy . 22 June 2022 . Reading Chronicle . 22 June 2022 . en.
  3. News: Allen . Olly . Reading 2-1 Cardiff City: Player Ratings . 8 August 2022 . The Tilehurst End . 6 August 2022 . en.
  4. News: Earnshaw . James . Reading defender out for the season after damaging knee ligaments . 10 May 2023 . Reading Chronicle . 23 December 2022 . en.
  5. News: Professional contracts signed by nine young players . 10 August 2023 . Reading FC . 1 July 2023.
  6. News: Earnshaw . James . Reading defender makes injury comeback after over 400 days in Middlesbrough draw . 28 March 2024 . Reading Chronicle . 20 December 2023 . en.
  7. Web site: ACADEMY RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED . readingfc.co.uk . Reading F.C. . 23 May 2024 . 23 May 2024.
  8. TalkReading . 1554140950510927874 . John Clarke has been called up to the Ireland U19 squad for a three-day training camp this week #readingfc.
  9. News: REPORT MU19 Ireland qualify for Elite Phase with Wales win Football Association of Ireland . 28 September 2022 . fai.ie . 24 September 2022.