Swindon Official Site
Leon Clarke joins Swindon TownPosted on: Fri 19 Aug 2011
Swindon Town have today signed striker Leon Clarke on a two-year deal following his release from Premier League side QPR.
After successfully completing a medical at The County Ground early on Friday evening, the 26-year old put pen to paper on a permanent deal to join Paolo Di Canio's side.
A product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, Clarke joined QPR on a two-year deal in May 2010, following the expiration of his contract with Sheffield Wednesday.
Clarke made 15 appearances in all competitions for Rangers last term, but found opportunities for a regular starting berth somewhat limited.
The forward enjoyed a loan spell at Preston North End towards the end of last season, scoring one goal in six appearances.
He made his Wolves debut in a League Cup win over Darlington in September 2003. A loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers followed, before Clarke made major inroads at Molineux in the 2004/05 campaign, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances.
The following season, Clarke was in and out of the first team squad, enjoying a one-match loan spell at QPR, as well as a five-match stint at Plymouth Argyle.
Sheffield Wednesday's Leon Clarke celebrates
Hillsborough - the home of Sheffield Wednesday - was his next port of call, with the Owls agreeing a fee in the region of £300,000 for his services.
Clarke enjoyed successful loan stints at both Oldham Athletic and Southend United prior to the 2008/09 season, which proved to be a fruitful one for Clarke.
His eight goals - including the match-winner against QPR in December 2008 - fired the Owls to a comfortable top-half finish.
Six more goals followed during the 2009/10 campaign, but his efforts weren't quite enough to keep Alan Irvine's side in the second tier, as the Owls were relegated on the final day of the campaign.
An exclusive interview with Leon Clarke will be on STFC Player shortly - as well as an interview with Town Interim Chairman Jeremy Wray and manager Paolo Di Canio.
Paperwork for Clarke's registration has been submitted and the club are yet to find out if he will be available for selection against Oxford United.
www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2421796,00.html
SWINDON ADVERTISER
Clarke arrives and another set to follow?6:00am Saturday 20th August 2011
* By Gary Rose »
PAOLO Di Canio completed something of a coup yesterday with the capture of Leon Clarke on a two-year contract, and could bolster his attacking options further with another key signing next week.
Clarke opted to drop from the Premier League to League Two after having his contract terminated at QPR yesterday afternoon, becoming Di Canio’s 14th signing of the summer after Spanish winger Lander Gabilondo also joined earlier in the day.
Di Canio had publically spoke with Clarke after the defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday, indicating that a move was imminent, but the takeover of QPR on Thursday resulted in a level of uncertainty over whether the move would be a loan or permanent one.
But things gathered pace yesterday before Clarke finally put pen to paper on a two-year deal and will now compete with Alan Connell, Raffa De Vita, Billy Bodin and Mehdi Kerrouche for a place in the Town attack.
“The situation was that we were not certain whether it would be a transfer or a loan deal,” interim chairman Jeremy Wray explained to the Advertiser“(QPR boss) Neil Warnock was hugely helpful with keeping us updated with the situation at QPR during the takeover and as soon as there was a chance we could work something out he let us know, before other clubs showed interest.“It is very exciting to bring a player like Clarke to the club. It is definitely a coup. He was looking for regular football and that is what we can offer him.
“A lot of players in the Premier League are happy to sit around in the reserves so it is refreshing to have a player with Clarke’s attitude.
“He was under contract at QPR but was not going to get regular football and he has come to a level where he can play regularly and score goals.”
Interest in Clarke appears to have emerged before the start of the season, with Clarke present at the League Two opener against Crewe.
And Wray believes that the prospect of playing at the County Ground played a big part in convincing Clarke that a move to SN1 would be the right one.
“I am pleased that Leon saw the Crewe game at the County Ground, because I truly believe the County Ground factor had a big part in him deciding to come,” he added.
“If he had only seen the Dagenham & Redbridge game it may have been more difficult, but the County Ground experience had a big impact on him.”
Clarke is certainly a significant addition to the Town squad but the Advertiser understands that Di Canio is not yet finished in the transfer market, with another striker believed to be set for a medical at the County Ground next wee
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/9207141.Clarke_arrives_and_another_set_to_follow_/SWINDON OFFICIAL SITE
Friends reunited for new-boy ClarkePosted on: Fri 19 Aug 2011
New Town signing Leon Clarke will link up with a few familiar faces after penning a two-year deal with the Robins.
Clarke was released by Premier League side QPR on Friday afternoon before securing a permanent move to Wiltshire.
Speaking to STFC Player, the club's official online TV service, Clarke revealed his delight at becoming a member of Paolo Di Canio's ever-changing squad.
"It's great to be here and although it's been a rush to get the paperwork through, I am delighted to have signed and got everything sorted.
"I know a few of the lads here too. Etienne (Esajas) is one of my best mates and I know 'Macca' (McCormack) from my time with Southend on loan."
He added: "There were a few clubs after me but Swindon made a real effort to get me and it's where I want to be playing my football."
Log on or subscribe to STFC Player to see Clarke's first interview as a Town player, in full.
www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2426190,00.html