When Newcastle United signed Ciaran Clark for a reported £5m in 2016, you might have forgiven sections of the support for feeling underwhelmed. Indeed, the Republic of Ireland international had just formed part of a Villa defence to have conceded 76 goals with Newcastle already having the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba, Grant Hanley and Jesus Gamez able to operate at centre-back.
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