Draft:Daniel Clarke (footballer)

Daniel Clarke
Personal information
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
HFX Wanderers FC
Youth career
Northampton Town
Woodbridge Strikers
2022 HFX Wanderers FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– CBU Capers 30 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 Woodbridge Strikers 10 (0)
2024– HFX Wanderers 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 4, 2023

Daniel Clarke (born 17 April 2003) is an English footballer who plays for the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life

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Clarke was born in Milton Keynes, England.[1][2] At age eight, Clarke began playing youth soccer with Northampton Town.[3] In 2014, he moved to Rockwood, Ontario in Canada with his family.[4] As a teenager, he trialed with Leicester City and Port Vale.[5] In the summer of 2022, Clarke played with the HFX Wanderers U23 team.[6]

University career

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In November 2020, he committed to attend Cape Breton University to play for the men's soccer team, beginning in 2021.[7] In his first season, he appeared in seven games, posting a 5-1-1 record in his rookie campaign.[8] In his second year, he was named an Atlantic University Sport First Team All Star.[9] In 2023, he was again named to the AUS First Team All Star,[10] and helped them advance and win the U Sports national title in 2023 and was named to the tournament all-star team.[11][6]

Club career

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In 2023, he played with the Woodbridge Strikers in League1 Ontario.[12] In June 2023, he was named to the L1O Team of the Month.[13]

At the 2024 CPL-U Sports Draft, Clarke was selected in the first round (fifth overall) by HFX Wanderers FC.[14][15] In April 2024, he signed a U Sports contract with the club, allowing him to maintain his university eligibility.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Fraser, Jeremy (November 8, 2023). "Cape Breton Capers' goalkeeper Clarke welcomes the pressure that comes with hosting national championship". Saltwire Network.
  2. ^ "Daniel Clarke: Carrying on the Tradition of Champions". Cape Breton University. November 8, 2023.
  3. ^ George, Robin (January 3, 2024). "Rockwood soccer star Daniel Clarke drafted by Halifax Wanderers Football Club". Wellington Advertiser.
  4. ^ LeBlanc, Corey (October 12, 2023). "'The best place for me': Goalkeeper Daniel Clarke key to success for soccer Capers". CBU Capers.
  5. ^ Healey, Josh (January 21, 2024). "Healey & Bailey Notebook: Halifax Wanderers' Daniel Clarke talks CPL draft, winning U-Sports national championship and trialing at clubs in England". Wanderers Notebook.
  6. ^ a b "Wanderers sign Cape Breton goalkeeper Daniel Clarke to U SPORTS Contract". HFX Wanderers FC. April 10, 2024.
  7. ^ LeBlanc, Corey (November 20, 2020). "Caper men's soccer announces 'significant signing' - Daniel Clarke". CBU Capers.
  8. ^ Fraser, Jeremy (26 October 2022). "Cape Breton Capers' Daniel Clarke among top goalkeepers in the country". Saltwire Network.
  9. ^ "2022 AUS men's soccer major award winners and all-stars announced". CBU Capers. November 1, 2022.
  10. ^ LeBlanc, Corey (October 28, 2023). "CBU foursome named AUS first-team all-stars, Midfielder Jason Hartill receives second-team nod". CBU Capers.
  11. ^ Fu, Zeno (November 9, 2023). "MSOC QF3: Clarke's shootout saves send Capers to semis". U Sports.
  12. ^ "Daniel Clarke 2023 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  13. ^ Fraser, Jeremy (July 24, 2023). "Former Cape Breton Capers goalkeeper named to team of the month in Ontario". Saltwire Network.
  14. ^ MacDonald, Glenn (December 14, 2023). "Capers rule CPL-U Sports draft again: Three CBU players selected including Sheppard No. 1, keeper Clarke to Wanderers". SaltWire Network.
  15. ^ "Wanderers select AUS players Clarke, Bodurtha in CPL – U SPORTS Draft". HFX Wanderers FC. December 14, 2023.
  16. ^ Healey, Josh (April 10, 2024). "HFX Wanderers ink 2024 CPL draft pick Daniel Clarke to U Sports contract". Wanderers Notebook.