Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark has told The Star that signing for Sheffield United on loan was ‘brilliant for me’ after sealing a season-long transfer to the Championship side.
The Blades have moved to hire the Republic of Ireland international for the upcoming term as they chase promotion. Paul Heckingbottom led the Bramall Lane natives to the play-offs last season, but would bow out on penalties in the semi-finals against Nottingham Forest.
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Eddie Howe has now let Clark leave St James’ Park to step down to the second-tier, having frozen the 32-year-old out of his plans. Clark lost his place in Newcastle’s 25-man squad for the second-half of the last Premier League term, with his final appearance on January 22.
Clark might now have played his final game for Newcastle outright, as well, as he is out of contract next summer. The 36-cap defender will return to Tyneside at the end of his loan spell in South Yorkshire with a month remaining on his £35k-a-week terms signed in 2021.
Newcastle extended the centre-half’s contract during Steve Bruce’s tenure, having been a regular in the Magpies’ defence before Howe’s arrival. But with Sven Botman now a Toon player, the Tyneside natives have no need for their £5m capture from Aston Villa in 2016.
Ciaran Clark hails Sheffield United loan as ‘brilliant’ after his Newcastle exit
Clark is delighted with the opportunity Sheffield United have afforded him by signing the defender on loan from Newcastle. He is now chomping at the bit to get going as a Blades player ahead of starting the new Championship campaign away to Watford on August 1.
“Coming here is brilliant for me,” Clark enthused. “Genuinely, I can’t wait to get started.”
The Republic of Ireland defender has likely left Newcastle for good following 129 games for the club across all competitions. He also hit 11 goals and four assists in black-and-white after joining under Rafa Benitez and helping the Toon win the 2016/17 Championship title.
Howe freezing Clark out of his Premier League squad left Clark with a different role during 2022, though. But the centre-back did not let his lack of first-team minutes stop him from helping Newcastle where he could on the training pitches to be ready for his next chance.
“When I was out at Newcastle, I still pushed myself as hard as I could in training to stay fit. That way I knew I could kick on and get involved again when the opportunity arose,” Clark adds. “I did that, and wished the lads good luck – I was aware of the circumstances.
“I understood the situation and was okay with it: I helped them get ready for games, made sure they were prepared as best they could be, tried to be a good teammate, and then worked as best as I could myself.”
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