Liverpool inserted a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause when they sold Clark to Salzburg for around £10 million in 2024, and that clause has now been triggered by Derby's permanent acquisition of the 21-year-old.
Clark spent last season on loan at Pride Park after struggling to establish himself in Austria. He made just thirteen starts in twenty-five appearances for Salzburg, and his prospects were further complicated when Pepijn Lijnders — the former Liverpool assistant coach who had reunited with Clark at the Austrian club — was sacked midway through the season.
The loan to Derby transformed his trajectory. He made 45 appearances, starting 36, and scored four goals while registering four assists — a contribution that earned him Derby's Young Player of the Season award and the admiration of head coach John Eustace.
Clark joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for £1.5 million in 2021, meaning the club have now generated a combined profit across his two sales of over £9.5 million — with the sell-on clause adding a further dividend to the original £8.5 million net gain from the Salzburg deal. Liverpool also retain first refusal rights on Clark should a top club come calling in the future.