Leighton Clarkson joined Blackpool on Deadline Day.
Leighton Clarkson states he was keen to make a fresh start - with Blackpool immediately proving to be an attractive option ahead of his Deadline Day move to Bloomfield Road.
The midfielder penned a two-and-a-half year deal, including a 12 month option, with the Seasiders earlier this week after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Aberdeen.
Clarkson had been with the Dons since 2022, after initially joining them on loan from Liverpool.
Across his stint in Scotland, the 24-year-old scored 18 goals and provided 17 assists in 154 appearances in all competitions.
Discussing why now is the right time for him to return to England following several years North of the border, Clarkson said: “I think there’s a couple of reasons. Over the last year or so, I’ve not been playing as much football as I wanted for numerous reasons.
“It was time for a fresh start. As soon as Blackpool was in it, there was only one place I wanted to go. I’m close to my family, it’s a good football club, and there’s a good manager (Ian Evatt) from what I’ve heard - the people I know here or have played under him before say he’s a well-detailed coach.
“It’s about improving myself, but also doing the best for Blackpool. It’s about what I can do for the future of this football club. Hopefully at some point we can get that promotion - that’s why I’ve come here. For now, it’s just about winning games of football and getting as high up in the league as possible.”
Clarkson shares how Blackpool transfer panned out
Leighton Clarkson (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)placeholder image
Leighton Clarkson (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Clarkson admits he was always keen to make a move in January despite his Bloomfield Road switch only coming in the final minutes of the window.
“In the situation I was in, it was pretty clear that Aberdeen wanted me to go,” he added.
“That was alright with me, I think it was time for a restart. Blackpool were one of the first teams to come to me, then it died off a little bit.
“With a couple of days to go, I was on a Zoom call with the manager and we managed to get it all done within a couple of hours of the deadline.
“It was mental. I was at the training ground at Aberdeen’s stadium until around half three, and you go home kind of not knowing what’s going on. You’re sitting there watching your phone, waiting for phone calls from agents and managers.
“There were so many phone calls, but I’m happy it got done.”
Clarkson discusses Liverpool development
Leighton Clarkson (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)placeholder image
Leighton Clarkson (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Clarkson is a product of the Liverpool academy, and made three senior appearances for the Reds during Jürgen Klopp’s time in charge.
“It massively set the tone,” he stated.
“You’re obviously training with the best players at the time - they’d just won the Premier League and Champions League, so you learn a hell of a lot. There was a winning mentality.
“When I went to Aberdeen, I tried to take that with me. I still thought I was a boy at that point, but being in and around professional people, I’ve turned into a man - more mature but still with that winning mentality.”
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