Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark

Clark warming up for the Republic of Ireland in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Ciaran Clark
Date of birth	(1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 27)
Place of birth	Harrow, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Newcastle United
Number	2
Youth career
2000–2009	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2016	Aston Villa	134	(7)
2016–	Newcastle United	29	(3)
National team‡
2005–2006	England U17	6	(0)
2006–2007	England U18	2	(0)
2007–2008	England U19	9	(0)
2009–2010	England U20	2	(1)
2011–	Republic of Ireland	24	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:09, 28 February 2017 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:51, 12 November 2016 (UTC)

Ciaran Clark (born 26 September 1989) is a professional footballer who plays for Championship club Newcastle United. Clark is naturally a central defender, but is also able to operate as a central midfielder and at left-back.

Clark captained England at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, but in October 2010 declared his ambition to play for the Republic of Ireland. He was called up to the national team a month later for the friendly match against Norway, and made his full debut against Wales on 8 February 2011.

Although born in Harrow, London and growing up in Sandy, Clark came through the Aston Villa youth academy after joining at the age of eleven. He captained the academy U18 team to the 2007–08 Premier Academy League, the academy's maiden league title. He was given a squad number for the 2008–09 season and named on the bench for Villa's 2008–09 UEFA Cup match away at CSKA Moscow, but remained an unused substitute. He captained the reserves to the Premier Reserve League South title and defeated PRL North winners Sunderland in the play-off final to win their first ever Reserve League trophy.

Clark was included in the squads for the pre-season friendlies and the 2009 Peace Cup. On 30 August 2009, he made his debut in a 2–0 win against Fulham. With Curtis Davies unavailable through injury, the 19-year-old was named in Villa's starting line-up, partnering Carlos Cuéllar in defence. He helped keep a clean sheet and nearly marked his debut with a goal but sent his header inches wide. Garth Crooks of the BBC named the youngster in his team of the week. Although the formidable partnership of new signings James Collins and Richard Dunne limited him to the bench, he was tipped to break into the first team on a regular basis within several years. In November 2009, he signed a contract extension until 2012.