Everton have confirmed the ‘six figure’ signing of AFC Wimbledon wonderkid Justin Clarke, 16.
The young midfielder will join up with Leighton Baines’ u18 squad after signing a first year scholarship contract at the club and could play as early as Saturday when the side takes on Nottingham Forest u18s.
Clarke has already generated headlines in his career. At the age of just 15 he made his debut for AFC Wimbledon in a Bristol Street Motors Trophy game against Wycombe Wanderers, becoming Wimbledon’s youngest ever player in the process.
The former Chelsea youth player has played as a striker at younger age groups but more recently has played as a midfielder at AFC Wimbledon. However, he has also shown an eye for the spectacular after scoring an overhead kick in the last minute of a youth game last year to win the game.
— Paul Lapraik (@ThisCharmingDon) September 16, 2024
A fan of Wimbledon responded to the announcement on Twitter by saying: “This is huge for the club, will never forget that overhead kick goal and this guys electric pace.”
On making his debut at just 15, his manager Johnnie Jackson said: “It was a fantastic moment. It’s great as a coach to give young lads opportunities.
“Justin Clarke got his opportunity today. He trained with us yesterday, we had to take him out of school! The lads have been great around him and he’s one we have really high hopes for.”
Simon Clark, Wimbledon’s u18s Head Coach, speaking in 2023 explained how Clarke had scored a ‘hatful of goals’ at u16 level and at u18 level he had scored 17 goals before November in a stunning start to the season. He’s fluid with it and unpredictable. With the ball he is that creative and the biggest strength he has got is that he finishes it off.”
The move to sign Clarke adds more firepower to Everton’s u18 team and follows a notable change in recruitment for the club. With Martin Sherif now moved to u21 level and George Morgan also expected to move up, it leaves several new players to score goals.
Cieran Loney signed from Partick Thistle after becoming their youngest ever player and the striker was joined by Braiden Graham of Linfield, who has played and scored in Northern Ireland’s top flight at the age of just 16.
Everton have also moved to sign defender Will Tamen, 18, from Burton Albion and Omari Benjamin from Arsenal, who starred in the u21s dramatic 2-1 victory over Watford with a late assist. A midfielder, Francis Gomez of Gambia, has also joined but was immediately loaned to Lyon.
It shows Everton under academy head of recruitment James Vaughan are increasingly targeting talented youngsters to bulk out youth sides. The move should prove to be fruitful in the long term, where it is hoped more players will be able to step up to the first team in future.