Mitch Clark (footballer, born 1999)

Clark graduated through the Academy at Aston Villa, having been scouted by the club playing for Bedworth Eagles juniors at the age of eight.[5] He made his first-team debut for the "Villans" in the EFL Cup on 22 August 2017, starting the match at left-back in a 4–1 victory over Wigan Athletic at Villa Park.[6] Manager Steve Bruce said that "he had a very good debut considering that he’s played out of position".[7] He was a part of the under-23 squad that finished as runners-up of the Premier League 2 Division Two and won the Premier League Cup during the 2017–18 season.[3] He signed a new contract in March 2018 to keep him at the club until 2019.[8][9]

On 16 August 2018, Clark joined League Two club Port Vale on loan for the rest of the 2018–19 season.[10] Manager Neil Aspin signed him to provide cover at full-back for James Gibbons and Cristian Montaño, after football adviser John Rudge had scouted him playing for the Aston Villa under-23 side.[11] He made his English Football League two days later, starting at left-back for the "Valiants" in a 1–0 win over Crawley Town at Vale Park.[12] He retained his first-team place as the "Valiants" went on a run of poor run of results, though Clark was noted as being one of their better performers.[13] He made a costly mistake to give away a goal during the opening minute of a 2–0 defeat at Grimsby Town on 6 October, but recovered from his mistake and kept his place in the team.[14] He remained a key first-team player under new manager John Askey and played a total of 45 games throughout the 2018–19 season, mainly at right-back, where he linked up well with right-sided midfielder David Worrall.[15] On 3 May, upon returning from his loan spell, Clark was released by Aston Villa manager Dean Smith; his agent claimed there was interest from numerous clubs and said that "I believe that I can take him on to bigger and better things than what he's doing at Port Vale."[16] He went on to change agents the following year, signing with Sports Management International.[17]

On 26 July 2019, Clark signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Leicester City and was placed in Steve Beaglehole's under-23 squad.[18] On 30 January 2020, Clark rejoined Port Vale on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[19] He made an impressive second debut two days later, forcing an own goal with a dangerous cross in a 1–1 home draw with Salford City.[20] However he received a straight red card for a reckless late challenge during a 3–2 win at Forest Green Rovers on 11 February.[21] His second loan spell was ended on just four appearances as the league was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[22]

Clark was nominated for the Professional Development League player of the month award for September 2020.[23] On 9 October, he joined Port Vale for a third loan spell after James Gibbons picked up a long-term injury.[24] He scored his first goal in professional football on 24 October, in a 2–1 win at Oldham Athletic.[25] He made 12 appearances in the first half of the 2020–21 season, though did not feature in December due to "personal reasons" and Askey confirmed that Port Vale would not try to extend the loan deal.[26][27]