3/1 To Win
Matt Clarke says he’s ready to ‘get back to business’ after sealing his return to Derby County.
The 23-year-old central defender has re-joined the Rams on a season-long loan deal from Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion for the entire 2020/21 campaign.
Clarke impressed on a similar loan spell from the Seagulls during the 2019/20 season and made 37 appearances in all competitions.
His impressive performances resulted in him being named as the winner of the Jack Stamps Player of the Season award.
After sealing his return to Pride Park Stadium for the upcoming campaign, Clarke it determined to kick on again and enjoy another positive season with Phillip Cocu’s side.
Once the option to head out on loan once again was an option, there was only one place Clarke wanted to be.
“It is good to be back,” Clarke told RamsTV.
“With the short break from the end of last season to now, it feels like I have never been away which is nice. I am just looking forward to getting back to business and back to work.
“As I was here last season, I know what I am getting in to. I know all the lads and all the staff so hopefully that means I can get straight to business.
“Now I am back, I just to keep progressing and keep improving. I don’t want to dwell on last year too much because that has been and gone now. You have to reflect a little bit, of course, and then build on that as much as you can.”
He added: “I tried to go into pre-season at Brighton with the mindset that I could feature there because ultimately that has to be the end goal for me, to be playing for Brighton in the Premier League.
“If another season out on loan was the best option for me, then I knew Derby County was where I wanted to be.”
Clarke was voted the Jack Stamps Player of the Season award winner in July following a supporters’ poll.
It was his third Player of the Season accolade in a row, having previously received recognition for his performances at Portsmouth prior to joining Brighton last summer.
“I think the individual accolades are always nice to receive,” Clarke said.
“You know how much hard work you put in over the season and to get some recognition for that is always nice.
“Ultimately, you know how you perform and how you have done and sometimes you don’t need the rewards to tell you. As a player, you always reflect on your performances.”
He added: “I think the awards must mean I am doing something right!”
Clarke enjoyed a short break following the conclusion of the season, prior to beginning pre-season training with Brighton last week.
In his short time away from the Rams, he remained in contact with a number of players in the dressing room.
He said: “I have stayed in contact with a few of the lads here.
“My name must have been mentioned between them because a few of them text me at the same time recently!
“I kept loose contact and teased them that I would be back at some stage.”
Clarke, who turns 24 next month, has recorded over 200 appearances in club football.
