“There is a lot to like about this” – Ipswich Town confirm Arsenal transfer agreement: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

League One promotion contenders Ipswich Town have completed a deal to sign Arsenal defender Harry Clarke.

The 21-year-old, who previously played for the club’s academy, has signed a three and a half year deal at Portman Road.

Ipswich Town have the option to extend this by a further 12 months, meaning the youngster’s future is well and truly tied to his hometown club.

With the above said, we asked our FLW writers what they made of this signing, and whether it was one Ipswich Town needed to make.

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

Sure, it reportedly cost them a seven figure fee to get this deal done, but in the long term, that will look like a bargain with this one.

At League One level, Clarke should be able to go in and immediately positively impact the club’s promotion bid.

At 21, he has racked up good experience in League Two, the Scottish Premiership and the Championship.

Excitingly, he will likely only continue to get better due to his age, meaning he and the club could both go on a real upward trajectory together in the coming years.

All of that combined with the fact the Tractor Boys are his hometown club and there is a lot to like about this transfer deal.

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Justin Peach

Ipswich have had a busy window so far and strengthening their back line seem to be the final piece of the puzzle for McKenna in this window.

What Clarke brings is a strong, athletic and versatile defender who will give Ipswich options on the right-hand side of their back line which will be sure to be helpful.

However, as for immediate impact, he will probably be a player Ipswich look to develop over time rather than him coming in and making an instant impact.

It’s a good signing, but certainly one for the future as he’s shown at times in his loan spell at Stoke that he is still a raw talent that needs time.

Ned Holmes

It’s hard not to be impressed by this signing.

Harry Clarke had done really well on loan for Stoke City in the Championship so Ipswich Town signing him is nothing short of a coup – though I’m sure his links to the club have been huge in getting the deal over the line.

A physical and hard running defender that can play as a right-back, wing-back or on the right of a back three, Clarke is a fantastic addition to Kieran McKenna’s squad.

Mark Ashton’s spending and transfer policy has concerned me a little recently but Clarke looks a player with a big future so this seems a safe appointment.