Ipswich Town struck gold with Arsenal transfer - Kieran McKenna revealed added "bonus" | OneFootball

Harry Clarke signed from Arsenal ahead of the back-to-back promotions, the bonus was the fact he'd been at Ipswich earlier in his career.

Ipswich Town have made plenty of excellent signings in recent years. One of those was Arsenal defender Harry Clarke, who returned to Portman Road as a man, having started his career there as a youngster.

The then-21-year-old failed to make a senior appearance for the Gunners, which saw him in search of a new home, following loan spells with Oldham Athletic, Ross County, Hibernian, and Stoke City.

Fortunately, his former home in Norfolk would become his new home, as Ipswich signed the right-back in January 2023. The Tractor Boys were in a great position to secure a return to the Championship, and Clarke's return would be a massive boost to those chances.

Kieran McKenna said his new signing's previous affiliation with the club "is a bonus," with Clarke echoing that feeling by saying: "What a feeling to be back. I'm home and it feels good."

Together, the club and the former academy prospect would go on to achieve what nobody would believe was possible, leading the club into an exciting new chapter of its history, following years of struggles.

Clarke and Ipswich shared incredible journey

McKenna's revolution at Portman Road took time to kick in, as the Tractor Boys had to deal with mid-table finishes in League One before they had a crack at promotion into the Championship.

The former Manchester United coach carefully crafted his squad, signing passionate and quality players. One of these was Clarke, who rejoined the club in 2023, seven years after he departed the academy.

The defender was exactly what McKenna was looking for, with his history with the East Anglian club being described as "a bonus" by his manager. By the end of his first six months back at Portman Road, Clarke had played a key role in promotion to the Championship, with 20 league appearances to his name.

Town didn't stop there though, as they'd have a season beyond their wildest dreams in 2023/24, finishing second and winning promotion to the Premier League. Ipswich defied the odds after years of struggles in the Championship and League One, seeing off challenges from Leeds United and Southampton to finish runners-up to Leicester City.

Clarke played a key role in another promotion campaign, with 35 league appearances to his name, as his boyhood club finally made it back to the pinnacle of English football.

Clarke just one example of Ipswich's excellent transfer business

The following season was a tough one for Town, as despite their best efforts, the Premier League simply boasted too much quality for the newly-promoted side. However, the trajectory of the club has changed forever thanks to the last three seasons.

Clarke is just one of a multitude of signings by McKenna in recent years which have shaped his side. The Northern Irishman has set Ipswich up nicely for the future by signing passionate, hardworking, quality players at the right price.

Despite relegation from the Premier League, the Tractor Boys established themselves as one of the favourites for promotion once more after more savvy recruitment.

Clarke, though, is not quite the part of the furniture he was when Ipswich jumped from League One to the Premier League. He's been on loan with Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic and his days in the blue of Ipswich do feel quite numbered. What he did returning "home" though will never be forgotten and he's got a place in Portman Road history to be proud of.