Exclusive: Harry Clarke Set for January Exit as Ipswich Open Door to Loan Move

Harry Clarke is eyeing up a loan move in January to get regular football again, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Ipswich Town defender has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury in April. 

Right-back Clarke has featured twice for the Tractor Boys U21s as he regains his fitness following another sustained spell away from the pitch.

It is unlikely Clarke would quickly force his way back into first-team plans at Portman Road once he is fully fit. 

And our sources have been told bosses at the club are open to letting the 24-year-old go out on loan once again.

After helping Town return to the Premier League, Clarke was sent out on loan for the second half of Sheffield United’s promotion push last season.

But he only managed six games for the Yorkshire club and went down injured at Plymouth Argyle in April. 

It is understood a number of Championship clubs would be interested in offering Clarke the chance in the second tier if he can prove his fitness before the January window opens.

There are also a group of League One outfits eagerly monitoring Clarke’s return and are ready to pounce if he is open to dropping down a level in his bid to get minutes.

Bolton Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon are two of a bunch of clubs thought to be waiting in the wings.

Clarke had been linked with a potential loan move in the summer, with Coventry, Bristol City and Hibernian all showing interest back in August, but his injury halted any deal and a switch to League One now appears the more realistic option for the full-back.

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Born in Ipswich, Clarke spent time in the club’s academy before signing for Arsenal at the age of 14.

He signed his first professional contract at the Premier League club in 2018, which was renewed a year later.

Loans at Oldham Athletic, Ross County, Hibernian and Stoke City followed before a permanent move back to Suffolk in 2023.

Clark made 55 league appearances for the club during their famous dual promotion-winning campaigns saw them return to the top tier for the first time since 2002. 

He made seven Premier League appearances before moving to the Blades on loan and during a defeat against Brentford earned the unwanted record of being only the second player to score an own goal, give away a penalty and be sent off in the same Premier League game.