Walsall have confirmed the signing of Eastbourne Borough defender Courtney Clarke, who has joined the club on a two-year deal that includes an option for a further year.The Club has agreed a compensation package with the National League South side after the Clarke turned down a new contract this summer.
The 22-year-old, who is predominantly a right wing-back, scored three goals and provided four assists as his impressive performances saw him win Eastbourne’s Young Player of the Season award for the 2024-25 season. The Sports finished third, just a point behind champions Truro City.
As a teenager, Clarke spent time at Derby County in their Under 21s. He also trained with the first team during his time at Pride Park, working under then Head Coach Wayne Rooney.
In the summer of 2023, he joined South Shields in National League North and helped them to an eighth place finish.
Speaking via the official website, Head Coach Mat Sadler admitted he is pleased to acquire his first signing of the summer, he said: "Courtney is an extremely powerful and explosive athlete.
"He had a fantastic season at Eastbourne and started to grab the attention of people looking in that direction.
"He fits the mould of exactly the type of player we bring to the club – young, hungry and wanting to get better.
"We’ve got a track record of improving players in that same model, and we see Courtney as another one on that list of players that we aim to do that with.
"We want to recruit the best from the levels below us, and we’ve got a proven record of doing well in that market.
"Courtney is someone who I’ve seen and looked at for a long time, and he’ll add explosiveness on that right-hand side.
"He’s a good young player, he’s hungry to play and do well which is exactly the mentality we want."