 Clarke is a versatile left-sided defender |
West Ham have completed the signing of Stoke captain and Republic of Ireland defender Clive Clarke for �275,000. Clarke, 25, joined Stoke as a trainee in 1996, making his first-team debut three years later.
A left-sided player who can also play in the centre of defence or midfield, Clarke made 259 appearances and scored 10 goals in his time at Stoke.
The County Wicklow-born defender won his first full cap for the Republic of Ireland against Jamaica in June 2004.
Burnley, Sunderland and Ipswich had all been interested in Clarke, but he said he was happy with the prospect of joining the Premiership newcomers.
"Out of the three teams promoted, I think West Ham have the best chance of staying up," he continued.
"The manager has already signed some good players and hopefully there's a little bit more money to buy another top striker as well.
"He hasn't promised me anything, he just said he wanted another left-sided player.
"I've been (at Stoke) so long and I wish them all the best but this move didn't need selling to me. It's a big club and it's a great opportunity for me."
MMIX
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