Ciaran Clark turned down the chance to join Sheffield United back in January because the defender wanted to win back his place at Newcastle United.
That is according to Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom, who finally got his man on Wednesday after Clark joined the Blades on a season-long loan. Although it is only a temporary move, the deal effectively brings an end to Clark's time at Newcastle as the centre-back has entered the final year of his contract.
Clark had been told by Eddie Howe to train at the club's academy this summer so the move to promotion-chasing Sheffield United was a no-brainer for the 32-year-old. In contrast, in January, Clark was still playing for Newcastle in the club's final game of the window against Leeds. However, Dan Burn's arrival on deadline day resulted in the former Ireland international being left out of Newcastle's 25-man squad for the second half of last season.
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Rather than sulk, though, Clark continued to train as if he was still available for selection and pushed and supported those around him, including Burn, his replacement. Burn went on to pay tribute to Clark for being 'nothing but professional' and 'really good around the group'.
Heckingbottom was keen to tap into those qualities, and Clark's promotion experience with Newcastle, and the Sheffield United boss revealed he had ''feedback' that the new arrival was 'well-respected in the dressing rooms he has been in'.
"We spoke briefly in January when he fell out of the team, but he wanted to get back in that team at Newcastle and worked hard," Heckingbottom told SUFC TV. "But, this season, he knows his chances are going to be less and limited so he wanted to go out on loan. Luckily for us, he picked us ahead of the other clubs that were in for him."
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