Doncaster Rovers confirm signing of ex-Chelsea and Celtic prospect Josh Clarke from Partick Thistle
Doncaster Rovers have unveiled their seventh signing of the summer transfer window
Doncaster Rovers have completed the signing of goalkeeper Josh Clarke from Partick Thistle.
The 21-year-old joined Thistle on loan from Celtic last summer, later agreeing to turn his move permanent at the end of the season. However, he has now been lured south of the border by League One outfit Doncaster.
Clarke has joined on a loan deal that runs until January, at which point his switch will become permanent for an undisclosed fee.
Doncaster Rovers sign goalkeeper with ‘outstanding pedigree’
“I'm delighted to welcome Josh to the club,” said Doncaster’s goalkeeping coach Kyle Letheren. “Josh is a highly thought-of young goalkeeper with an outstanding pedigree.
“We've spent a lot of time watching him over the last couple of months, and throughout that period he has consistently shown all the attributes, character and mentality we look for when recruiting goalkeepers.
"His potential is clear, but just as importantly, his attitude and willingness to improve stood out to us from the very beginning.
"We're delighted to have Josh with us and look forward to being part of his development for the foreseeable future."
Josh Clarke’s intriguing CV
Clarke has an intriguing CV and cut his teeth in the academies of Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth before moving to Northern Ireland with Glenavon in 2022.
His time in the NIFL Premiership was short-lived and he was snapped up by Celtic just months later. The Scottish giants did not afford Clarke a senior outing but did loan him to Airdrieonians and Ayr United as well as Thistle.
Clarke has also accumulated youth international experience, representing Northern Ireland, England and Sweden.
He has become the seventh new addition to Grant McCann’s squad, following Tommy Simkin, Neill Byrne, James Husband, Leon Ayinde, Alfie May and Francis Okoronkwo through the door. The stopper looks set to compete with Simkin for minutes between the sticks.
Josh Clarke on Doncaster Rovers move
“I am really looking forward to getting going,” he said. “I have had a walk around the stadium, and it seems like a great place to be a part of, and conversations with Grant and Kyle made it an easy decision to sign here."
Clarke will return to his former club Glenavon later this month, with the Northern Irish club among Doncaster’s pre-season friendly opponents.
“It will be nice to see a couple of familiar faces,” he said. “I loved my time there with great people who did a lot for me at an important time in my career, so it will be a special game."