Jack Clarke ‘delighted’ to secure permanent Sunderland move from Tottenham, as Alex Neil reveals what winger ‘needed’
Jack Clarke has done “what he needed to” by settling with Sunderland after completing a permanent transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, according to his manager Alex Neil. Clarke became a Sunderland player for good on Saturday after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Stadium of Light. The winger helped the Black Cats to their long-awaited promotion from League One to the Championship. Now, he has signed for them on a permanent basis, bringing an end to an uneventful three-year spell on the books of Tottenham. He never got the chance to debut in the Premier League, only featuring four times for Spurs across cup competitions. Clarke spent time out on loan with former club Leeds United, then QPR, Stoke City and finally Sunderland. In the north east, he made 20 appearances last season, scoring once and adding four assists. Now, Tottenham have sold him to Sunderland, where he has signed a four-year contract. The transfer fee has not been disclosed. According to Sunderland manager Neil, securing a permanent Tottenham exit is exactly what Clarke needed – and he can unlock his “huge potential” with his new employers. Neil told the club website: “Jack is a player with huge potential. We had him last season and I think he grew stronger and stronger as the season went on. But the most important thing for him is that he’s now our player. “He has obviously got quality. But what he needed to do was find a home and we have managed to provide that. Jack enjoys it here and for us, we are pleased to have the deal across the line as it adds another attacking option.” At the age of 21, Clarke still has plenty of years ahead of him. Continuing to develop in the EFL, at a club where he settled, seems to be wiser than staying with Tottenham would have been. And the York-born ace acknowledges sticking with Sunderland feels like the right decision after how well his first six months there went. Clarke said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back because I really enjoyed my time here last season. “It felt right to return and after winning promotion to the Championship last season, I’m excited to play my part in the next step of our journey. “We have a good balance in the squad and a great bond in the dressing room. So I believe we can continue to progress as a team and enjoy another successful season.” Sunderland have also signed Daniel Ballard from Arsenal and Leon Dajaku from Union Berlin this summer. Tottenham, meanwhile, have also offloaded the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Steven Bergwijn on permanent deals. READ MORE: Former Tottenham star makes Richarlison prediction despite shirt number reveal raising questions
Tottenham transfer news: Jack Clarke agrees four-year deal to quit Spurs and join EFL club
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