Jack Clarke - QPR (loan)
[article]JACK Clarke has joined QPR on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign.
The 19-year-old forward, who can play on the wing or up front, came through the ranks at Leeds United before signing for Spurs last summer.
Following his switch to north London, Clarke was immediately loaned back to the Elland Road outfit for the current season.
That loan was cut short by Spurs, however, allowing Mark Warburton the opportunity to bring him to Rangers.
After breaking through at Leeds and making 25 appearances last term – which saw him named their Young Player of the Year – Clarke is now excited about his upcoming spell with the R’s.
“I am delighted and looking forward to getting started,” he said. “Hopefully I can kick on and help the team.
“I like to create chances, take people on, I’m very direct with the ball and love running with it.”
Clarke admits Warburton played a key role in his decision to join QPR, explaining: “I spoke to Mark a fair few times.
“He was one of the main factors in me coming here - in terms of how he wants to play football and how he sees me fitting in.”
Clarke could make his debut this weekend against Leeds, and he admitted: “You couldn’t write it, could you?
“I am just excited to get going and to kick-start things with my new team.”
R’s boss Warburton added: “I’m really pleased to bring Jack in – he is a talented, young, hungry player with lots of energy and there’s no doubts about his quality.
“I am looking forward to working with him.”
Warburton explained why bringing Clarke in was important as he prepares his squad for the second half of the campaign, adding: “Right now we have Ilias Chair, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebere Eze doing exceptionally well for us but with injuries, suspensions, form, you need to have options.
“Jack provides that. He can play on the left, on the right, or in the centre so we are delighted to have him.
“Hopefully the fans will see the quality that he has.”
Clarke attracted the attention of a number of clubs, and Warburton believes the education on offer at QPR helped our bid to bring the England U20 international to west London.
“The feedback we have had is very positive,” Warburton said. “Whenever you take a young player you have a responsibility – some work, some don’t, nobody has a crystal ball.
“Certainly the London location, our attacking style of play and having a number of young players developing in the team has made us a good proposition and long may that continue.”
Clarke will wear squad number 47, the same number he wore at Leeds, and could make his QPR debut against his former club when we host Marcelo Bielsa’s side at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday.[/article]
