---
title: "Championship Rival Meets Release Clause for Defender"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/08/01/championship-rival-meets-release-clause-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Lynch"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2016-08-01T19:05:29Z"
modified: "2016-08-01T19:06:04Z"
---

# Championship Rival Meets Release Clause for Defender

Newcastle United have a launched a move for the Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark according to reports this evening.

The defender is believed to have a release clause of around £5 million according to recent [reports](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/26/roberto-di-matteo-on-brink-of-being-appointed-aston-villa-manage/), and it is reported by George Caulkin of The Times that the Magpies have launched a bid that would see his clause activated.

Clark came through the ranks at Villa Park as a youngster and has since made 130 appearances in a claret and blue. With 23 of those appearances coming last season in Villa’s doomed relegation campaign.

> Twitter: #Nufc have met release clause in Ciaran Clark’s contract at Aston Villa. Can play centre-half, left-back and holding midfielder. (@CaulkinTheTimes)

The Irish international played youth football for England before opting to switch allegiances at senior level. He featured for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016

![Alex Livesey/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/08/521572734.jpg)

It will be interesting to see if this transfer comes through with the Championship season now only days away.

**Did you know**

Ciaran Clark began his career as a midfielder and played the majority of his youth career at defensive midfield before Martin O’Neill put him in defence when he was called upon in the first team.