Leighton Clarkson, born on the 19th of October, 2001 (age 24) in England, carved out quite the career reputation for himself at Celtic's fellow Scottish Premiership club, Aberdeen. A skilled and tenacious midfielder, Clarkson primarily operates as a central midfielder and noted for his number 10 jersey, a fitting number for a player of such versatility and capability. He stands at a height of 5ft 8in (1.75m) and weighs 10st 9lb (68kg), contributing to his physical presence on the pitch.
Clarkson's current market value is estimated to be around £850,000 as projected by Transfermarkt. Back in July 2016, he entered the professional football scene as a trainee at Liverpool, the world-renowned Premier League club in his native England.
The following years saw him experience loan spells across English football. In August 2021, he made the move from Liverpool to Blackburn Rovers, a noted Championship side, where he made seven first team appearances in a single 2021/2022 season. Undoubtedly, his experience at Blackburn will have shaped Clarkson’s abilities and mentality as a footballer.
A year later, Clarkson landed on Scottish soil, joining Aberdeen in the Premiership on loan from Liverpool in August 2022. There he truly made his mark for seasons to come. For the 2022/2023 season, he made 34 first team appearances and scored five goals in league matches, demonstrating a good return for a midfielder. The following 2023/2024 season at Aberdeen manifested similar patterns, this time with Clarkson making 36 first team appearances and contributing three goals for the Scottish side. During the 2024/2025 season, he maintained his good form, making 34 first team appearances and scoring four more goals. As of the current 2025/2026 season, Clarkson has made nine first team appearances in league matches.
In July 2023, Clarkson fully committed to the Scottish club, transferring from Liverpool to Aberdeen for an undisclosed fee, an interesting climacteric turn that saw the player bid English football farewell in favour of Scottish territory.
Clarkson’s voyage at Aberdeen didn't just cease after impressing in league matches. He also made his mark on various cup competitions. In the League Cup 2025/2026, he scored once in two substitute appearances. The European journey wasn’t left behind as well, making appearances in the Europa League Qualifiers 2025/2026, and the Conference League 2023/2024 and 2025/2026 competitions.
Leighton Clarkson, though not cementing his roots at Celtic, has without a doubt left a recognisable legacy at Aberdeen. His career trajectory not only indicates his adaptability and skills as a footballer but also his commitment to his profession.
