Liverpool secure six-figure sum after midfielder secures permanent transfer
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SportFootballLiverpool FCBobby Clark graduated from Liverpool's youth academy to the senior team but has now netted his former club a tidy sum.Former Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark has completed a permanent transfer from Red Bull Salzburg to Derby County - and the Reds will profit from the deal.Clark, 21, spent three years on Merseyside after joining the academy set-up from Newcastle United in 2021. He eventually went on to make 12 appearances for the first team, including six in the Premier Leagu, before moving to alzburg, who were managed by ex-Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders in an estimated £10million deal.The son off former Newcastle favourite Lee spent one season in the Austrian Bundesliga before being loaned to Championship side Derby last August, for whom he made 45 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing as many assists, firmly establishing himself as a fans' favourite at Pride Park, as he scooped the club's Young Player of the Season award.After making his deal a permanent one, the Rams have not disclosed the transfer fee paid to Salzburg, but the Mail has reported it as approximately £6m.When Liverpool sold Clark to the Austrian club, they included a 17.5 per cent sell-on fee in the deal, meaning that they now stand to receive just over £1m following his subsequent sale to Derby.Speaking to Rams TV after signing his new four-year contract, Clark said: "I think people could tell [that he wanted to stay at Derby], the way I enjoyed being here.
When fans asked us to stay and stuff, obviously, I had to say 'we'll see', but I knew deep down that I wanted to come back.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"I felt the vibe after coming in from not playing much (at Salzburg).
The gaffer put full trust in me, got me up to speed and then I just got the minutes that I needed, I enjoyed everything about the club, the team, everyone working for the club, the fanbase - I thought it was the perfect destination for me."I was a big decision, because I want to realise my potential. I just feel like I will get better and better at Derby."Clark had also been courted by other clubs, including Rangers and Wrexham, but after narrowly missing out on the Championship play-offs last season, he was keen to continue working with Rams boss John Eustace.Liverpool now have an extra £1m to throw into their transfer warchest, as they look to reshape the squad in new manager Andoni Iraola's image ahead of the start of next season.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCBobby Clark