Matthew Clarke

Matthew Clarke was born in Suffolk on September 22, 1996, and began his football journey in the youth academy of Ipswich Town. He progressed through the ranks, making his first-team debut for Ipswich during the 2014/15 season, appearing in four matches. This early experience in professional football laid the groundwork for his development as a central defender. In 2015, Clarke joined Portsmouth on a loan spell for the 2015/16 campaign. His consistent performances across 33 appearances in all competitions led to a permanent move to Fratton Park in the summer of 2016.

During his three years at Portsmouth, Clarke played a pivotal role in the club’s success. He was part of the squad that achieved promotion from League Two in 2017. A significant milestone in his career at Portsmouth was winning the EFL Trophy in 2019, where he played the entire 120 minutes of the final against Sunderland, which Portsmouth won on penalties. His strong performances in League One garnered attention from higher-tier clubs, leading to a move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in June 2019, where he signed a four-year deal. Following this, he was immediately loaned out to Derby County for the 2019/20 season.

At Derby County, Clarke quickly established himself as a key player, making his debut in a 2-1 away win against Huddersfield Town. He concluded that season with 38 league appearances and was recognized with the prestigious Jack Stamps Player of the Season award. He returned to Derby for a second season-long loan in 2020/21, playing consistently to help the Rams maintain their Championship status. After another loan spell at West Bromwich Albion in 2021/22, he joined Middlesbrough permanently in August 2022, making 51 appearances before rejoining Derby County in January 2025 on a permanent deal. He further extended his commitment with a three-year deal after the 2024/25 season, during which he registered 16 appearances, contributing to the club’s nine-match unbeaten run.