3/1 To Win
Defender Matt Clarke admitted he was ‘over the moon’ to make the switch back to Derby County after joining up with the squad on Tuesday morning.
The centre-back has joined the club on a permanent deal that will run until the end of the 2024/25 season from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough.
The Rams’ second acquisition of the January transfer window is returning to the club after making 81 appearances throughout back-to-back loan spells in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons from Brighton & Hove Albion.
After a year with West Bromwich Albion and two-and-a-half seasons with Middlesbrough, the 28-year-old has racked up a total of 158 appearances in the Championship and will bring that wealth of experience into Paul Warne’s squad.
Clarke, who was the Rams' 2019/20 Jack Stamps Player of the Season, caught up with RamsTV upon his return to the club.
On joining Derby County for the third time…
It feels really good. 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 from the club's point of view, obviously you've done something right or 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.
On memories of his previous spells at the club…
I suppose the challenge, more than anything. It's a good place to play football, I enjoy being around the training ground, the people are good, and it's just the challenge of the games and developing as a player.
The last few years after I left weren't so good for Derby County, then obviously to have a period and come back up, I get the impression that it's in a better place than when I last left. Hopefully, I can help out, help the team and help the club.
On settling into the team and wanting to help make progress…
From a manager and coach point of view, I imagine you know what you're going to get from me. I'll come in and hopefully do my job and do my bit for the team. With the nature of the league, there's such a long way to go and it can change so quickly. We want to get on a bit of a run, pick up some momentum, and it can soon look completely different. The position in the league table is not something that worries me too much.
I recognise some of the staff coming back in, there's not many players left from my
last spell here. There's a lot of turnover in football, but there are
plenty of people and plenty of familiar faces to say hello to again.
I've been back to Pride Park a couple of times since, but
obviously in the away dressing room, so I'm looking forward to being
back with the fans and with the support.
