Matt Clarke Salary in 2025: Quick Overview
Entering the prime of his career, Matt Clarke has become a pivotal figure in the Derby County defence as John Eustace looks to build the side into a Championship staple. Joining from Middlesbrough in January of this year, the 28-year-old has returned to his former club four years after his last appearance. A staple in the EFL with stints at Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and Derby, the defender earned a move to Brighton and Hove Albion, but he failed to establish himself at the Premier League level. This piece will detail Matt Clarke’s current salary, how his wage has changed over time and how it compares to other Championship defenders.
- Weekly Salary: £20,000
- Annual Salary: £1,040,000
- Current Club: Derby County
- Contract Expiry: June 2028
- Reported Bonuses: No
(Source – Capology)
Career Earnings to Date
| Club | Years | Estimated Salary |
| Ipswich Town | 2002-2016 | Unknown |
| Portsmouth FC | 2016-2019 | Unknown |
| Brighton and Hove Albion | 2019-2022 | £1,140,000 per year |
| Middlesbrough FC | 2022-2025 | £680,000 per year |
| Derby County | 2025-Present | £1,040,000 per year |
(Source – Capology)
Born in Suffolk, Clarke would begin his career at local club Ipswich Town, joining the Tractor Boys’ academy in 2002. He made his first team debut in 2014, but would not make a full breakthrough at Portman Road, instead moving on loan to Portsmouth during the final throws of their financial issues. He would make a permanent switch to Pompey the following season in a swap deal, and would come to be a key defender for them as they won the League Two title and helped them remain as a League One outfit. This caught the attention of Brighton and Hove Albion in 2019, who signed him on a four-year deal. However, his stint in Sussex was a disaster, failing to make a senior appearance for the Seagulls. He would be loaned out to Derby County and West Bromwich Albion. Middlesbrough signed him in 2022, and after three years on Teesside, he would be sold to his former club, Derby County.
Contract Details & History
Surprisingly, Matt Clarke is not on his first contract at Derby County despite joining less than a year ago. He was signed by John Eustace’s side on a half-season deal for an undisclosed fee. His deal was extended after strong performances to see Derby escape relegation, earning a new three-year deal.
- Signed the current contract in June 2025
- Contract duration and notable clauses: Three years, no reported clauses
- Is still on his second contract since signing for Derby County permanently.
Salary Comparison: How Matt Clarke’s Salary Stacks Up
Matt Clarke is an established name in the EFL and has proven himself within the Championship after consistent performances for Middlesbrough and Derby County. Clarke would be expected to earn similar amounts to other well-known names in the division at centre-back, but is likely earning less than other defenders in the division that have Premier League experience.
| Player | Club | Estimated Salary |
| Matt Clarke | Derby County | £1,040,000 per year |
| Sondre Langas | Derby County | £520,000 per year |
| Nathaniel Phillips | West Bromwich Albion | £2,080,000 per year |
| Jannik Vestergaard | Leicester City | £3,120,000 per year |
| Ben Cabango | Swansea City | £650,000 per year |
| Japhet Tanganga | Sheffield United | £1,820,000 per year |
| Taylor Harwood-Bellis | Southampton FC | £390,000 per year |
(Source – Capology)
Matt Clarke has a competitive salary within the centre-back markets of the Championship, earning more than many top players like Ben Cabango and fellow teammate Sondre Langas. However, he is far behind top earners within the division, like Nat Phillips and Jannik Vestergaard, who have a wealth of Premier League experience with Liverpool and Leicester City respectivelyly. Players who have moved between Championship clubs also earn more than Clarke, with Japhet Tanganga earning a slight pay increase for his switch from Millwall to Sheffield United.
FAQs About Matt Clarke’s Salary
What is Matt Clarke’s weekly and annual salary?
Matt Clarke earns around £20,000 per week, or approximately £1,040,000 per year at Derby County.
When does Matt Clarke’s current contract end?
The contract is set to expire on June 30, 2028, unless extended or transferred earlier.
Are there any bonuses or incentives in the contract?
It is not known if there are any bonuses or incentives in Matt Clarke’s contract. Typical contract bonuses may include performance-based rewards like clean sheets, appearances, team achievements, or loyalty bonuses. Specifics are usually undisclosed.
Has Matt Clarke’s salary changed in recent years?
Matt Clarke’s salary has actually decreased from his top all-time salary after joining Brighton and Hove Albion. However, he has seen an increase in earnings since making the switch from Middlesbrough to Derby County, and now earns just £100,000 less per year from his earnings at the Seagulls.
How does Matt Clarke’s salary compare to teammates or league rivals?
Matt Clarke is a top earner at Derby County, according to Capology, and ranks joint-third among his teammates for an average weekly wage. Only new forwards Carlton Morris and Ben Brereton Diaz earns more than Clarke, while Clarke earns the same as other top players for the Rams like Rhian Brewster and Lewis Travers. He is not a top earner within the Championship’s centre-backs, but is still on a strong salary compared to many other starting players at clubs like Swansea City or Oxford United.
Does his salary affect club finances?
Derby County have a competitive wage structure to accommodate the club’s top earners, such as Rhian Brewster, Ben Brereton Diaz and Carlton Morris. Derby County spend a reported £14,398,000 per year on wages, a low figure compared to many Championship sides and dwarfed by the expenditure of top second tier sides like Ipswich Town and Southampton FC.
