2 days Ago By [email protected] (Paul Wheelock)
Everton have bolstered their Academy ranks with the signing of history-maker Justin Clarke from AFC Wimbledon Amid takeover talk and the build-up to tonight's Carabao Cup third-round tie with Southampton at Goodison Park, it may have passed unnoticed that Everton have made a new signing. And the signing in question? That would be the history-making Justin Clarke from AFC Wimbledon. The teenager became the Dons' youngest-ever senior player at the age of 15 last season when he came off the bench in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash against Wycombe Wanderers.
The highly-rated midfielder joins the Everton academy as a first-year scholar and bolsters Leighton Baines' Under-18s, who host Nottingham Forest on Saturday (12pm kick-off). Clarke signed for Wimbledon at the age of 11 and rose through the academy ranks. His progress has now been rewarded with a move to Merseyside with the Dons confirming they have received a six-figure fee for his signature from the Blues.
Wimbledon academy manager Michael Hamilton said : "First of all, congratulations to Justin and his family. We are proud of the part we have played in his progression, up until now, we will be supporting his progress from afar and we wish him nothing but success. “This is another bittersweet moment for us as an Academy because Justin is the latest in a long line of players that have been developed here, identified and then recruited by a club higher up the pyramid “As an academy we pride ourselves on not only punching above our weight but also putting ourselves in the conversation of being, pound for pound one of the best academies in the country, this is another indicator towards that.
“Whilst its disappointing from a fan’s perspective to see a young player leave before he makes the transition to the first-team, I can promise you we have equally as talented players in the building, including our new scholars, who you will be hearing about soon. “That’s where our focus needs to be, in ensuring we surround them with the environment and support to succeed and maximise their potential.”.
