Former Premier League defender confirms latest move after Newcastle United contract decision

Ciaran Clark has finally found a new club - three months after being released by Newcastle United.

The former Republic of Ireland international has been without a club since June when he was released by the Magpies at the end of his contract.

He spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and despite their promotion back to the Premier League, the 34-year-old failed to win a permanent deal after injury restricted him to just 11 Championship appearances.

Clark has returned to England’s second-tier and penned a contract at Stoke City until the end of the season. He reunites with former Newcastle teammate Dwight Gayle.

“I’ve missed the feeling of being in the dressing room and preparing week-to-week for Saturdays,” said Clark.

“I worked hard throughout pre-season and have kept myself in good shape since, so I am keen to get out there with the lads over the next couple of weeks, as the feeling of those sessions is something you can’t replicate alone.

“With the quality of players we have, if we find some consistency, I believe we can go on and have a good season.”

Stoke’s technical director Ricky Martin added: “Ciaran’s vast experience and understanding of how to be successful in the Championship make him a valuable addition to our squad.

“He gives us the cover we need at the back but, more than that, he’s a left-footed central defender which is a commodity in itself, as well as possessing all the pedigree and background to be a leader and cultural architect within our group.

“Ciaran has two weeks to train and acclimatise prior to our next block of Championship fixtures and we’ll be working hard to help him get up to speed as quickly and effectively as possible.”

Signed by Rafa Benitez in 2016 from Aston Vila, Clark was voted the club’s Player of the Year during his debut campaign after helping United return to the Premier League at the first attempt. He remained a regular in the starting XI when Benitez and Steve Bruce were in charge but quickly fell out of favour under Eddie Howe.

Clark was sent off after 10 minutes during a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash against Norwich City and in a friendly against Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, which was his last appearance in a Magpies shirt.

He was left out of Newcastle’s 25-man squad for the second half of the 2021-22 season before moving to Bramall Lane on loan last summer. Clark scored 11 goals in 129 appearances for Newcastle over a six-year spell spell.