Josh Clarke, a goalkeeper currently minding the net for Partick Thistle, was born in England on the 28th of July, 2004. Standing at a robust 6ft 2in (1.88m), and weighing around 13st 3lb (84kg), Clarke exudes a commanding physical presence between the sticks. At the tender age of 21, he is an exciting young prospect who has also represented the Northern Ireland national squad in his blossoming career.
Clarke's career began to germinate in earnest in July 2021 when he joined the Premiership team, Glenavon, based in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Premiership provided a sufficient platform for Clarke to further polish his skills, and his strong goalkeeping prowess caught the attention of the scouts at the Scottish football powerhouse, Celtic, who signed him an undisclosed fee in August 2022.
The move to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership offered Clarke with valuable exposure and inevitably, sharpened his game considerably. As part of the club's development plan, Clarke was loaned out to Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship in August 2023. During his tenure with Airdrieonians in the 2023-2024 season, Clarke made his first appearance in a league game.
Returning to Celtic upon completion of his loan spell at Airdrieonians, Clarke continued to evolve in his football journey. A subsequent loan move to Ayr United, another Championship club in Scotland, materialised in February 2024. Clarke enjoyed a successful stint here, making 12 first-team appearances in league matches for the 2023-2024 season and eight in the following 2024-2025 season.
After his time at Ayr United, Clarke returned to Celtic once more, but his tenure in Glasgow was short-lived as he was loaned out to Ayr United once again in February 2025. His return was marked by an impressive quota of games, featuring in 12 and eight first-team league matches in the 2023 - 2024 and 2024 - 2025 seasons respectively.
In July 2025, Clarke embarked on a new journey, transferring from Celtic in the Premiership in Scotland to Partick Thistle in the Championship, again on loan. His form during the current season, 2025-2026, has been nothing short of phenomenal with 23 first team appearances in league matches. He has also shoal on the big stage, making starts in the League Cup 2025-2026 and the Scottish Cup 2025-2026 for Partick Thistle.
Celtic's trust in Clarke and the player’s determination and resilience reflects a commendable mutual growth. Despite not being a regular face in Celtic's first team, his loan spells at Airdrieonians, Ayr United and currently Partick Thistle have provided him with the opportunity to grow, refine, and subsequently display his goalkeeping prowess. His continued development suggests a promising future. Mercy to the one who tries to outwit Clarke between the sticks!
