Former Ross County loanee Harry Clarke has seen his £3.5m summer transfer to Stoke City collapse after an issue was flagged during his medical. The defender, who impressed during his loan spell with the Staggies in 2021, was set to join the Championship side but the deal has now fallen through. Next fixture: vs Peterhead (at home, 2026-11-07).
What happened during the medical?
Clarke, who has also played for Sheffield United and Ipswich Town, was due to complete a permanent move to Stoke City. However, according to reports from the Ipswich Star, concerns raised during his medical examination led to the deal being called off. The 25-year-old has since returned to training with Ipswich Town.
Why did the transfer fall through?
Ipswich Town manager Gary O’Neil confirmed that both Clarke and teammate Ali Al-Hamadi had deals collapse at the medical stage. O’Neil praised Clarke’s professionalism and said the club would support him as they navigate the next steps. Clarke’s stint at Ross County was cut short by injury, but he showed promise during his appearances.
What’s next for Harry Clarke?
With the Stoke City move off, Clarke will remain at Ipswich Town for now. O’Neil hinted that there could still be movement in the transfer window, either for Clarke or other players. The defender’s future remains uncertain, but his time at Ross County remains a notable part of his career.
