'No problem' - Dan Neil reveals dressing room reaction to Jack Clarke exit and Sunderland's transfer business

Dan Neil has revealed how Sunderland’s dressing room reacted to Jack Clarke’s departure.

The former Tottenham and Leeds United winger was snapped up by Ipswich Town in the Premier League during the summer window for a total package of around £20million plus a 15 per cent sell-on clause.

Sunderland’s reliance on the 23-year-old last season for goals and assists was well-documented with Clarke finishing the campaign with 19 goal contributions as the Black Cats finished a disappointing 16th-place in the Championship under interim boss Mike Dodds.

However, Sunderland team captain Neil says he has no problem with Clarke’s move to the Premier League and praised the club for getting it right in the transfer market during recent windows with left-winger Romaine Mundle ready to step-in.

“It was obviously a tough one to take. I think, first of all, as a person, he was absolutely brilliant. He got on with all the lads and he was really good to have around the dressing room,” Clarke told BBC Radio 5 live. “But again, as a footballer, he was a bit of the maverick in our team last year and the year before, where anything could happen when you get Jack the ball. 

“You've seen that last year with the goal contributions that he gave but I think, first of all, he deserves that move to the Premier League. I don't think anybody took the huff that he left and went to the Premier League because we all understood that he deserved it and should challenge himself in the Premier League. 

“I think, credit to the club, we brought Romain Mundle last January and in pre-season, he's been one of the best players in pre-season for me in training. And if Jack Clarke stayed, then he might not have got that chance. But Romaine came in and he took his chance with both hands. He scored two-and-two, Burnley and Portsmouth.

“We brought in Wilson from Zenit on loan and a few other boys so there's plenty of competition for that place. But like I said, Jack deserved that move and we had no problem with seeing him go and we just wish him the best.”