Exclusive: Arsenal defender agrees loan move to EFL club

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Published on:

16 Oct 2020, 11:34 am

Arsenal defender Harry Clarke has agreed a loan move to Oldham Athletic, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The 19-year-old, who is the captain of the Gunners' Under-23 side, is rated as a future star by the north London giants and was given the green light to leave in search of first-team experience.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that the necessary paperwork was submitted ahead of the 5pm deadline to complete his temporary switch to Oldham.

Clarke has played against Football League opposition before in the EFL Trophy for Arsenal's under-21 side.

Last season he played the full 90 minutes in defeats to both League One side Peterborough United and League Two outfit Northampton Town.

Primarily a centre-back, the Englishman can also operate on the right-hand side of defence and in a defensive midfield role.

He is set to join an Oldham side who have got off to a torrid start to the season under new manager Harry Kewell.

The Latics currently sit bottom of the Football League after picking up just one point from their opening four games.

Kewell is keen to bring in defensive reinforcements after his side has failed to keep a clean sheet in League Two this campaign.

The Australian boss has already signed three centre-backs this transfer window.

Sido Jombati and Kyle Jameson have signed from Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Fylde respectively, while Carl Piergianni converted a loan spell from Salford City into a permanent deal.

Clarke will be their fifth loan signing of the window after Ian Lawlor from Blackpool, Bobby Grant from Wrexham, Ben Garrity from Blackpool and Alfie McCalmont from Leeds United.

In other Arsenal news, Football Insider can REVEAL a strong signal that Joe Rodon is heading to their north London rivals Tottenham amid a big update.

Arsenal

Oldham Athletic