John Clarke (footballer, born 2004)

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

John Clarke

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 (age 20)[1]
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Reading
Number	23
Youth career
	Stockport Town
2021–2022	Port Vale
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	Reading	3	(0)
International career‡
2022	Republic of Ireland U19	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:45, 1 December 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:57, 28 September 2022 (UTC)

Club career

Clarke joined Port Vale's youth team from Stockport Town in 2021.^[2] On 22 June 2022, Reading signed Clarke to join their under-23 team.^[3] 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.^[4] However, manager Paul Ince confirmed that Clarke missed the rest of the season after sustaining a knee ligament injury in December.^[5] He signed a new contract in July 2023.^[6] He returned to fitness in December 2023.^[7] On 23 May 2024, Reading announced they had extended their contract with Clarke for another season.^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[10]

Style of play

Clarke is an attacking left-back.^[2]

Career statistics

As of match played 20 August 2022

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Reading	2022–23[11]	EFL Championship	3	0	0	0	1	0	–		4	0
	2023–24[12]	EFL League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2024–25[13]	EFL League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	0

References

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