27 Facts About Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark was born on 26 September 1989 and is a professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back, though he can play as a central midfielder or left-back.

Ciaran Clark captained England at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, but in October 2010 declared his ambition to play for the Republic of Ireland, the country of his parents' birth.

Ciaran Clark was called up to the national team a month later for the friendly match against Norway, and made his full debut against Wales on 8 February 2011.

Ciaran Clark was born in Harrow, London, and grew up in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Ciaran Clark captained the reserves to the Premier Reserve League South title and defeated PRL North winners Sunderland in the play-off final to win their first ever Reserve League trophy.

Ciaran Clark was included in the squads for the pre-season friendlies and the 2009 Peace Cup.

Ciaran Clark helped keep a clean sheet and nearly marked his debut with a goal but sent his header inches wide.

Ciaran Clark was handed a start in Gerard Houllier's first match as new Villa manager, against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup.

Ciaran Clark then started the match against local rivals Birmingham City in midfield and continued in the role against Fulham and Blackpool due to the club's injury crisis.

Ciaran Clark scored a 91st-minute equaliser against Chelsea on 2 January 2011 to rescue a point.

Ciaran Clark became the only player in Premier League history to be booked in six successive appearances within the same season.

Ciaran Clark scored his first FA Cup goal for the club against Bristol Rovers on 29 January 2012, with a solo run, including stepovers and a left-footed strike curled into the bottom corner.

However, due to injury constantly plaguing Aston Villa's defence, along with consistently poor results, Ciaran Clark still managed 28 appearances in a season that saw Villa finish 15th on 38 points.

In January 2014 during a training game Ciaran Clark broke the right leg of his team-mate Libor Kozak.

Ciaran Clark went on to add further goals against Brentford and Bristol City while helping Newcastle concede the joint-lowest number of goals in the division as they returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Ciaran Clark remained a regular starter for Newcastle in league games for the first half of the following season.

On 20 January 2021, Ciaran Clark extended his contract with Newcastle, signing a new two-and-a-half-year contract.

On 30 November 2021, Ciaran Clark was sent off after just nine minutes in a home game against Norwich.

Ciaran Clark made three appearances for Stoke of which all came in the final three games under Alex Neil which all were lost.

Ciaran Clark was not selected by new manager Steven Schumacher and left the club at the end of the season.

Ciaran Clark captained the England U19 team through qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, playing in five out of the six qualifiers and scoring a goal.

Ciaran Clark missed out on the tournament through an ankle injury sustained during training.

In late September 2010, Football Association of Ireland officials approached Ciaran Clark about switching his allegiance.

On 5 October 2010, it was reported that Ciaran Clark had pledged his international future to the Irish national team as he qualified through his Irish parents.

On 12 November 2010, Ciaran Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway.

Ciaran Clark then made his debut on 8 February 2011 against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.

In Republic of Ireland's opening match at Euro 2016 against Sweden, Ciaran Clark deflected a ball from Zlatan Ibrahimovic into his own net to level the scores.