American international Ricardo Anthony Clark has joined Eintracht on loan until the end of the season. The 26 year old defensive midfielder is the first US player ever to join the team. He played for Houston Dynamo in the MLS in 2009 and scored seven goals in 97 games.
Clark was signed to replace the injured defensive midfielder Zlatan Bajramovic, who suffered under a heel injury and will be out for several weeks. Eintracht coach Michael Skibbe said that Clark has to do some workouts and practice to be in good condition to play in the Bundesliga. Clark was scouted by Frankfurt at the match between the US-team and Denmark.
Skibbe attests Clark good dribbling-skills and that he’s a hard-running player, because of his conditional residue, causes by the break in the MLS, Clark will be a part of the team in 2 or 3 weeks. If Clark is able to answer Skibbe’s expectations, his contract will be extended for several years.
German newspapers rebrand Clark as a “bad boy” caused by his kick against the head of FC Dallas player Carlos Ruiz. Clark was banned for nine games. During the Fifa Confederations-Cup Clark was sent of after fouling Italian “bad boy” Gennaro Gattuso.
Despite all that coach Skibbe believes in Clark’s talent and that he will be a factor for the team. Houston Dynamo GM Oliver Luck congratulates Frankfurt for signing Clark and wishes his former player that he will reach his objectives. A few years ago Oliver Luck was GM of the American Football-Club Frankfurt Galaxy, which played in the same stadium like Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ricardo Anthony Clark was born on February 10, 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia. Frankfurt is his first team in Europe. A few months ago, Clark was focused by the Serie A-club Livorno Calcio, but the deal failed. US-coach Bob Bradley advises Clark to look for a club in the Bundesliga.
