Born on 19 October 2001, Englishman Leighton Clarkson has gained a certain reputation in the competitive world of football. Now 23, this influential midfielder has become a key figure at Aberdeen where he mainly operates as a central midfielder. At 5ft 8in tall (1.75m) and weighting 10st 9lb (68kg), he isn't the most physically imposing figure, but that hasn't hindered his footballing journey. Rather renowned for his intelligence on the pitch, he proudly wears the number 10 jersey.
Ascertaining Clarkson’s current market value is always going to be a challenge, but Transfermarkt places him around €1.00m, a figure that roughly translates to £850,000 considering the current exchange rates. His contract with Aberdeen is set to expire on 31 May 2027, thus giving him plenty of time to make further impact in the Scottish football scene.
Clarkson’s journey wasn't always stationed in Scotland. The player joined Liverpool as a trainee in 2016, eager to make his mark in the robust Premier League. Seeing his potential, Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship secured his services on loan in August 2021. During his debut 2021-2022 season with Blackburn Rovers, Clarkson made a commendable seven first team appearances in league matches.
However, Clarkson’s footballing journey found a new path, and quite possibly a home, in Scotland. In 2022, Aberdeen secured his services from Liverpool, once again on loan. Throughout the 2022-2023 season at Aberdeen, he made a striking 34 first team appearances, coupled with five goals in the league matches. The following season, he once again proved instrumental with 36 first team appearances and three goals.
Appreciating his evident worth, Aberdeen decided to permanently sign Clarkson from Liverpool in July 2023 for an undisclosed fee. In the current 2024-2025 season, Clarkson has notched up ten first team appearances and demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess with one goal in league matches.
Clarkson’s contribution on the field extends beyond the routine league matches. During the Scottish Cup 2023-2024, he made three starts and a substitute appearance; his performance in the League Cup 2024-2025 noted three goals across five starts and an appearance as a substitute. In the Conference League 2023-2024, Clarkson made two start appearances and a substitute one for Aberdeen. His tenacity and skill have made him a dynamic player in the Scottish football scene.
