Aberdeen have confirmed the signing of midfielder Leighton Clarkson from Liverpool on a permanent deal.
The 21-year-old spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Pittodrie and was a standout player for Aberdeen, scoring six goals and setting up nine more in 38 appearances.
Clarkson netted five times and provided eight assists in 34 Scottish Premiership appearances, helping the Dons seal a spot in the Europa League playoff round with a third-placed finish.
The former England Under-20 international was due to return to Anfield this summer, and while Liverpool are seeking to bolster their midfield ranks, Clarkson would not have been considered for regular first-team appearances.
As a result, Clarkson has returned to Aberdeen on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, bringing an end to his time at Liverpool, whom he joined at the age of six.
"There is no doubt Leighton had a positive impact during his time with us last season and it's hugely encouraging that he has now chosen this club as his home, and the best place for his continued development," Dons boss Barry Robson told afc.co.uk.
"He is a brilliant prospect and exactly the type of player we want here at the club. He's young, hungry, and technically very good. He was much admired for the creativity he brought on the pitch and showed a real affinity with the supporters during his time at Pittodrie last season.
Leighton Clarkson has completed a permanent transfer to Aberdeen.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 15, 2023
Everyone at #LFC wishes Leighton the best of luck for the future ❤️
"We are shaping the squad up for playing both in Europe and domestically and will be looking to announce more new faces in the very near future."
Despite impressing for Liverpool at Under-18 and Under-21 level, Clarkson only made three appearances for the Reds' senior team under Jurgen Klopp, making his debut in a 5-0 EFL Cup loss to Aston Villa in 2019.
The Englishman subsequently played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town later that season, before also starting a Champions League group-stage draw with Midtjylland in December 2020.
Blackburn Rovers also took Clarkson on loan for the first half of the 2021-22 season, but the lynchpin made just seven appearances at Ewood Park before returning to Merseyside.
Just before announcing Clarkson's move to Aberdeen, Liverpool also confirmed their retained list for the 2023-24 season and announced that goalkeeper Adrian had been offered a new contract.
The Spaniard is due to become a free agent at the end of the month but is now expected to stay on as Klopp's third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Academy starlets Paul Glatzel, Jacob Poytress and Reece Trueman have also been offered contracts, but Jack Bearne, Liam Hughes, Charlie Hayes-Green, Oscar Kelly, Fidel O'Rourke, Oludare Olufunwa and Iwan Roberts will all depart.
Ben Knapton
