Doncaster Rovers have signed goalkeeper Josh Clarke from Partick Thistle, initially on loan, with the League One club set to make the move permanent in January on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. The transfer is notable because it comes only weeks after the 21-year-old completed a permanent switch to Thistle from Glaswegian rivals Celtic, and it activated a release clause the Scottish Championship side had inserted to guard against interest from clubs of Doncaster's level.

Clarke, a Northern Ireland Under-21 international who was called up to the senior squad in March and June, joined Thistle on loan from Celtic last summer before signing a pre-contract deal in February. He kept 14 clean sheets in 42 appearances as the Jags finished second in Scotland's second tier, though they missed out on promotion after losing the Premiership play-off final to St Mirren. Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough confirmed the buy-out clause was needed to secure Clarke's services, while head coach Mark Wilson said losing him was a shame but a good opportunity. Thistle have separately confirmed a two-year deal for right-back Ben McPherson, 22, following his own exit from Celtic.