Bobby Clark Derby
Liverpool are owed a sizeable payout after Bobby Clark completed his move from Red Bull Salzburg this week, after just two years with the Austrian club.
Clark has finalised a £7 million move to Derby after undergoing a medical with the Championship club on Monday.
It sees the young midfielder turn a loan deal permanent, having spent the 2025/26 campaign at Pride Park and earned the Rams’ Young Player of the Season award.
His transfer has guaranteed Liverpool a windfall of around £1.2 million, after a 17.5 percent sell-on clause was negotiated into his switch to Salzburg in 2024.
Why Bobby Clark chose Derby move from Salzburg
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - Thursday, March 7, 2024: Liverpool's (L-R) substitutes James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon warm-up during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match between AC Sparta Praha and Liverpool FC at Stadion Letná. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - Thursday, March 7, 2024: Liverpool's (L-R) substitutes James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon warm-up during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match between AC Sparta Praha and Liverpool FC at Stadion Letná. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The 21-year-old joined Salzburg amid interest from a wide range of clubs two years ago to play under Jurgen Klopp‘s long-serving assistant Pepijn Lijnders.
But with Lijnders sacked after just six months in charge, Clark and loanee Stefan Bajcetic both saw their game time decrease under new management.
Clark sought a return to England, and despite concrete interest from Celtic he has now signed a four-year contract with Derby.
“When the fans would ask me to stay, I’d have to say, ‘oh, we’ll see’, but I knew deep down that I wanted to come back,” he told RamsTV upon completing his move.
“From the very beginning, the gaffer put trust in me, got me up to speed and then I got the minutes I needed on the pitch.
“I enjoyed everything about the club, the team, everyone working for the club, the fanbase. I thought it was the perfect destination for me.
“It was a big decision because I obviously want to reach my potential. I needed to pick my next step carefully and this club definitely suits me.
“I think, being at Derby, I’ll just get better and better.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola ahead of the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Saturday May 9, 2026.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola ahead of the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Saturday May 9, 2026.
Liverpool had first refusal over any transfer from Salzburg but chose not to match Derby’s offer despite Clark’s considerable potential.
Andoni Iraola already has the likes of Bajcetic, Trey Nyoni and potentially Harvey Elliott to work into his senior midfield options such as Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Clark played 45 times on loan at Derby, with four goals and four assists, and he will now look to propel them back into the Premier League after finishing eighth last season.
Leipzig, Germany. 21st July, 2022. Soccer: Test matches, RB Leipzig – FC Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena. Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. Liverpool won with 0:5. Credit: Jan Woitas/dpa/Alamy Live News
Leipzig, Germany. 21st July, 2022. Soccer: Test matches, RB Leipzig – FC Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena. Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. Liverpool won with 0:5. Credit: Jan Woitas/dpa/Alamy Live News
Football – English Football League Trophy – Northern Group H – Burton Albion FC v Liverpool FC Under-21’s
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Kaide Gordon during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Fulham v West Ham United – Premier League – Craven Cottage
West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Wednesday March 4 2026.