'He knows what it takes' - Preston North End sign Sheffield United and Stoke City-linked Harry Clarke
A Sheffield United-linked defender has linked up with an ex-Blades boss in the Championship
Preston North End have completed the signing of Sheffield United-linked defender Harry Clarke.
The 25-year-old had a loan spell at Bramall Lane in 2025, making six appearances before injury curtailed his campaign.
He returned to his parent club Ipswich Town for the 2025/26 season, but spent the second half of the term on loan at Charlton Athletic.
Earlier this summer, Sheffield United were credited with interest in a reunion with the former England youth international.
Reports later suggested Stoke City were closing in on the right-back, but the race for his signature has been won by Preston.
Harry Clarke completes move
Clarke has linked up with former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom, who has been at the Deepdale helm since 2024.
Clarke said: “I'm really happy to sign for Preston North End. They’re a great club, with great fans and they’ve shown their ambition this summer with some big signings. I can’t wait to get started and show the North End fans what I can do.”
Heckingbottom added: “I’m really pleased we’ve managed to get a deal for Harry done. He knows what it takes to play right at the top of this division and he’s got a couple of promotions under his belt.
“I’ve said throughout the summer that I’m confident we can land our main targets and being able to add Léo and Harry to the group today, both on permanent deals, re-enforces that as well as our ambition.”
Clarke has penned a three-year deal at Preston, with the club holding an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
The move has ended his three-year association with Ipswich, who he joined from Arsenal in 2023. He was part of the Tractor Boys squad that secured back-to-back promotions in 2023 and 2024, rising from League One to the Premier League.