Arsenal defender Harry Clarke has completed a permanent transfer to Ipswich Town, after being recalled from a loan at Stoke City.

Arsenal confirmed on Thursday that young defender Harry Clarke had been recalled from his loan spell at Stoke City and sold to Ipswich Town on a permanent deal.

Ipswich have handed Clarke a deal lasting to 2026, with an option to extend by a further year to 2027.

The East Anglian Daily Times report that Ipswich are paying £1m or more for the 21-year-old, a significant fee for a League One club.

For Clarke, there’s a homecoming element to the deal. He spent time with Ipswich as an academy player, and his grandfather played for the club in the 1950s.

But after eight years in north London, Clarke had a message for Arsenal as well.

“Where do I start,” Clarke began. “Arsenal football club has been such a huge part of my life. I’ve been here for 8 years now and I’ve grown both as a player and a person.

“I’ve had some incredible experiences, played with some world-class players, and met some amazing people along the way.

“I can’t thank the club enough for the opportunity to represent one of the best clubs in the world.

“I want to wish everyone at Arsenal all the very best for the season and hopefully, we see a league title at the end of it in May.

“Once a Gunner…”

One thing that Clarke’s Arsenal spell should be remembered for is the way he conducted himself throughout.

The defender always gave everything in every minute on the pitch, he endeared himself to the supporters on and off it, and he led by example. It was the same on each one of his loan spells, with no one ever having a bad word to say about his character.

A player like that deserves to have a good career, and hopefully, Clarke is just starting his at Ipswich Town.

Clarke joins Tyreece John-Jules in Ipswich, who is on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season. John-Jules is currently recovering from an injury.