Sam Clucas
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1990)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Clucas
| image = Sam Clucas 2017.jpg
| image_size = 175
| caption = Clucas playing for Hull City in 2017
| fullname = Samuel Raymond Clucas{{Hugman|22607|accessdate=14 January 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|9|25|df=y}}{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=475|edition=43rd}}{{cite web |url=http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=cluc01 |title=Sam Clucas |work=The Lincoln City FC Archive |publisher=Lincoln City F.C. |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201825/http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=cluc01 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}
| birth_place = Lincoln, England
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub = Lincoln City
| clubnumber = 24
| youthyears1 = 2001–2008
| youthclubs1 = Leicester City
| years1 = 2008–2009
| clubs1 = Nettleham
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2009–2010
| clubs2 = Lincoln City
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2011
| clubs3 = Jerez Industrial
| caps3 = 20
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2011–2013
| clubs4 = Hereford United
| caps4 = 58
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2013–2014
| clubs5 = Mansfield Town
| caps5 = 43
| goals5 = 8
| years6 = 2014–2015
| clubs6 = Chesterfield
| caps6 = 41
| goals6 = 9
| years7 = 2015–2017
| clubs7 = Hull City
| caps7 = 84
| goals7 = 9
| years8 = 2017–2018
| clubs8 = Swansea City
| caps8 = 29
| goals8 = 3
| years9 = 2018–2023
| clubs9 = Stoke City
| caps9 = 131
| goals9 = 18
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = Rotherham United
| caps10 = 32
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2024–2025
| clubs11 = Oldham Athletic
| caps11 = 8
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2025
| clubs12 = Lincoln City
| caps12 = 8
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2025–
| clubs13 = Shrewsbury Town
| caps13 = 0
| goals13 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2013
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 17:21, 29 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Samuel Raymond Clucas (born 25 September 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for {{English football updater|LincolnC}} club Lincoln City. He will join {{English football updater|ShrewsbT}} side Shrewsbury Town on 1 July 2025.
Clucas started his career as a youth player for Leicester City where he spent six years, before being released. He studied at Lincoln College and had a spell at Nettleham towards the end of the 2008–09 season, before joining his hometown club Lincoln City where he stayed until being released in the summer of 2010. After a short spell in Spain he returned to England and rose from League Two to the Premier League with Hereford United, Mansfield Town, Chesterfield and Hull City; scoring in each division in the process. He joined Swansea City on 23 August 2017, thus ending his stay with Hull City. Clucas spent the 2017–18 season with the Swans before joining Stoke City in August 2018.
Early and personal life
Born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire,{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=87}} Clucas attended Saint Peter and Saint Paul Catholic High School. Prior to signing a professional football contract with Lincoln City, he worked part-time at a café in a Debenhams department store.
Career
=Early career=
Clucas started his career with Leicester City, joining their academy at the age of 10, leaving at the age of 16, after being told he was too short.{{cite web |url=https://www.redimps.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10440~48103,00.html |title=First Team: Samuel Clucas |publisher=Lincoln City F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212090618/https://www.redimps.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10440~48103,00.html |archive-date=12 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Peter-Jackson-thrilled-new-signing-Sam-Clucas/story-11203987-detail/story.html |title=Peter Jackson thrilled with new signing Sam Clucas |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=3 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717093317/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Peter-Jackson-thrilled-new-signing-Sam-Clucas/story-11203987-detail/story.html |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} Following his release from Leicester City, he had a short spell playing for Nettleham in the Central Midlands Football League at the end of the 2008–09 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-City-sign-Sam-Clucas/story-11215189-detail/story.html |title=Lincoln City sign Sam Clucas |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717093334/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-City-sign-Sam-Clucas/story-11215189-detail/story.html |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} He then studied sports development qualification at Lincoln College.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Undefined-Headline/story-11194659-detail/story.html |title=Clucas find can begin Imps production line |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=8 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717093352/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Undefined-Headline/story-11194659-detail/story.html |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}
=Lincoln City=
He was offered a soccer scholarship in the United States, before signing for Lincoln City at the start of the 2009–10 season after a successful trial period with his hometown club, impressing manager Peter Jackson, who described him as a "real find". Whilst on trial with the club he made an appearance in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup final defeat to Scunthorpe United. He made his professional debut on 1 September for Lincoln City in their 1–0 home defeat to Darlington in the Football League Trophy, before being replaced by Chris Fagan in the 63rd minute as a substitute.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8230375.stm |title=Darlington 1–0 Lincoln City |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}} In late December 2009, manager Chris Sutton announced Clucas would be one of three players to be put on the transfer list.{{cite news |title=Lincoln put Brown, Butcher and Clucas on transfer list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8435031.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2019 |date=30 December 2009}} In March 2010, a proposed loan move to Lincoln Moorlands Railway fell through as Northern Counties East League rules prevented member clubs from signing contracted Football League players on short-term loans.{{cite news |title=Red tape stops loan moves |work=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |date=1 March 2010 }} Clucas was released by Lincoln City in the summer of 2010.{{cite news |title=Lincoln City defender Paul Green signs new dea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8674564.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2019 |date=11 May 2010}}
=Jerez Industrial=
In August 2010, having successfully attended trials at Bisham Abbey, he was handed a two-year scholarship at the Glenn Hoddle Academy,{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Clucas-aiming-fresh-start-England-boss/story-11216883-detail/story.html |title=New Hoddle Academy recruit Sam Clucas would 'love to play for Lincoln City again' |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=11 July 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2017}}{{cbignore}} the move also enabled him to turn out for Spanish Tercera División (fourth tier) side Jerez Industrial.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Clucas-guided-hand-Hod/story-11225523-detail/story.html |title=Sam Clucas aims to reign in Spain with guidance from Glenn Hoddle |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=11 July 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2017}}{{cbignore}} He made 20 appearances for Jerez before returning to England.{{cite web |title=How a trial in Jerez came to be Arsenal executioner Sam Clucas' last chance saloon |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2018/01/31/5a72134c468aeb90018b45fb.html |website=Marca |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=28 August 2019}}
=Hereford United=
Clucas signed for Hereford United in November 2011 after a trial period.{{cite news |title=Hereford United sign midfielder Sam Clucas |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15698236 |access-date=28 August 2019}} Clucas made 18 appearances for Hereford in 2011–12 as they suffered relegation to the Conference Premier.{{cite news |title=Hereford United relegated despite home victory over Torquay United |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/05/hereford-torquay-league-two |website=The Guardian |date=5 May 2012 |access-date=28 August 2019}} Clucas remained with Hereford for the 2012–13 season where he scored nine goals in 47 appearances as the Bulls finished in 7th position.{{cite news |title=Hereford United sign trio for next season |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16725919 |access-date=28 August 2019}}
=Mansfield Town=
File:Sam Clucas 01-02-2014 1.jpg in 2014]]
On 21 June 2013, Clucas signed a two-year contract with Mansfield Town for a fee of £20,000 plus a 15% sell-on clause, which was decided by a tribunal.{{cite news |title=Mansfield Town: Hereford's Sam Clucas snubs Crewe for Field Mill |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22878146 |access-date=28 August 2019}} He had rejected an offer from Crewe Alexandra and chosen to sign for Mansfield as it was closer to his home in Lincoln. Clucas began his Stags career well with a run of five goals in six games and scoring four in an 8–1 win against St. Albans City in the FA Cup.{{cite news |title=St Albans 1–8 Mansfield |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24782834 |access-date=28 August 2019}} He scored a total of 13 goals in 2013–14 helping Mansfield secure a mid-table position of 11th. Throughout the summer of 2014 Clucas stated his desire to leave Mansfield and play in League One.{{cite web |title=Chairman's message to supporters regarding Clucas transfer |url=https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2014/september/chairmans-message-to-supporters-regarding-clucas-transfer-/#LGoqx9K60pZQ8ovr.99 |website=Mansfield Town |access-date=28 August 2019}}
=Chesterfield=
On 1 September 2014, the 2014 summer transfer window deadline day, League One side Chesterfield signed Clucas on a three-year deal until June 2017 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2014/september/clucas-signs-for-spireites/ |title=Clucas signs for Spireites |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=20 December 2017 |archive-date=20 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220175809/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2014/september/clucas-signs-for-spireites/ |url-status=dead }} Under the management of Paul Cook, Clucas played key role in Chesterfield's 2014–15 season, scoring 12 goals in 49 matches as the team reached the League One play-offs, where they lost out to Preston North End.{{cite news |title=Preston North End 3–0 Chesterfield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32575855 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2019}}
=Hull City=
File:Sam Clucas 01-10-2016 1.jpg in 2016]]
On 27 July 2015, Clucas signed a three-year deal with Championship side Hull City for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £1.3 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/tigers-complete-taylor-and-clucas-deals-2575347.aspx |title=Tigers complete Taylor and Clucas deals |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=27 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402132151/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/tigers-complete-taylor-and-clucas-deals-2575347.aspx |archive-date=2 April 2016 |url-status=dead}} Clucas made his competitive debut for Hull against Huddersfield Town on the first day of the 2015–16 season, scoring the first goal of the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33744138 |title=Hull City 2–0 Huddersfield Town |website=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2015 |access-date=20 December 2017}} Clucas played 52 times as the Tigers gained an instant return to the Premier League with a 1–0 win against Sheffield Wednesday in the 2016 Football League Championship play-off final.{{cite news |title=Hull 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36348885 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}}
On 13 August 2016, Clucas made a Premier League debut described as "exceptional" against Leicester City,{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Buckingham |title=Hull City remain in a state despite improbable victory over Leicester |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/hull-city/306/blog/post/2932361/hull-city-remain-in-a-state-despite-improbable-victory-over-leicester |publisher=ESPN |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=20 December 2017}} and four days later Clucas signed a new three-year deal with the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/clucas-signs-new-three-year-deal-3255201.aspx |title=Clucas signs new three-year deal |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828144653/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/clucas-signs-new-three-year-deal-3255201.aspx |archive-date=28 August 2016 |url-status=dead}} He scored for Hull in the return game in Leicester in March 2017. It was the fifth successive season in which he scored a goal, in a fifth different division, and in an ascending order — the Football Conference in 2012–13, League Two in 2013–14, League One in 2014–15, Championship in 2015–16, and then the Premier League in 2016–17.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/stunning-rise-hull-citys-sam-9977979 |title=The stunning rise of Hull City's Sam Clucas summed up in one crazily good stat |first=Jon |last=Moody |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=6 March 2017 |access-date=10 October 2017}} Hull were relegated back to the Championship following a 4–0 defeat to Crystal Palace on 14 May 2017.{{cite news |title=Crystal Palace 4–0 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833968 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}}
=Swansea City=
On 23 August 2017, Clucas signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Swansea City for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41002813 |title=Sam Clucas: Swansea City sign midfielder from Hull |website=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=23 August 2016}} Clucas made his Swansea debut in a 2–0 against Crystal Palace on 26 August 2017.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: New midfielder already feels 'at home' after winning Swansea debut |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41063027 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}} He scored three goals for Swansea, all of which came against Arsenal, once in a 2–1 defeat at the Emirates,{{cite news|last1=Mike|first1=Whalley|title=Arsenal 2–1 Swansea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41703866|website=BBC Sport|date=28 October 2018|access-date=11 May 2018}} and twice in a 3–1 win at the Liberty Stadium in late January.{{cite news|last1=Pearlman|first1=Michael|title=Swansea 3–1 Arsenal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42784104|website=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2018|access-date=11 May 2018}} Swansea struggled throughout the 2017–18 campaign with Paul Clement unhappy with player recruitment which left his squad imbalanced.{{cite news |title=Swansea City squad has imbalance, says head coach Paul Clement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41727625 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}}{{cite news |title=Swansea City: Clement says transfer business has been 'mixed' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41846917 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}} Clement was replaced by Carlos Carvalhal in December 2017 and he stated that he was surprised to learn Clucas had struggled for form at the club.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: Carvalhal surprised midfielder struggled at Swansea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43668109 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}} Clucas suffered a knee injury towards the end of the season which required surgery.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: Swansea midfielder set to miss start of season after knee surgery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44184959 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}} The Swans were relegated to the Championship after a 2–1 defeat to Stoke on the final day.{{cite news|title=Swansea 1–2 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44020155 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2019}}
=Stoke City=
Clucas joined Stoke City on 9 August 2018 for a fee of £6 million.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: Stoke City sign Swansea City midfielder for £6m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45048904 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 August 2018}} Clucas missed the first three months of the 2018–19 campaign due to a slow recovery from knee surgery, eventually making his debut against Nottingham Forest on 10 November 2018.{{cite web |title=Sam Clucas fitness update as £6m midfielder nears Stoke City debut |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-clucas-stoke-city-injury-2063359 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=23 November 2018}}{{cite web |title=Sam's the man he hopes for Stoke City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-sam-clucas-rowett-2222238 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=23 November 2018}} He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 2–1 win over Derby County on 28 November 2018.{{cite news |title=Stoke 2–1 Derby |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46284931 |website=BBC Sport|access-date=29 November 2018}} Clucas played 28 times for Stoke in 2018–19, scoring three goals as Stoke finished in 16th position. Clucas came in for heavy criticism from supporters after a needless red card against Queens Park Rangers on 9 March 2019.{{cite news |title=QPR 0–0 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47424363 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 May 2019}}{{cite web |title=Even in this most brainless of seasons, Sam Clucas's stamp tops list of barmy incidents |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-nathan-jones-sam-clucas-2629959 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=14 May 2019}}
Clucas scored on the opening day of the 2019–20 season in a 2–1 defeat against Queens Park Rangers.{{cite news |title=Stoke City 1–2 Queens Park Rangers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49135726 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 July 2020 |date=3 August 2019}} Stoke began the season in poor form, failing to win any of the opening ten matches and were rooted to the bottom of the table by October.{{cite news |title=Swansea City 1–2 Stoke City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49861215 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 July 2020 |date=5 October 2019}} Michael O'Neill was brought in as new manager in November and Clucas scored twice in his first game in charge in a 4–2 win at Barnsley with his first goal scored from the half-way line.{{cite news |title=Barnsley 2–4 Stoke City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50271667 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 July 2020}}{{cite web |title=Sam Clucas on the incredible half-way line strike that set up Stoke City win at Barnsley |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-clucas-goal-stoke-barnsley-3520826 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=26 July 2020}} He scored again against Swansea on 25 January 2020 and in response to abuse from the Swansea support he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of them.{{cite web |title=Sam Clucas 'does an Adebayor' celebration after scoring against old club Swansea |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-clucas-celebration-stoke-swansea-3777876 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=26 July 2020}} Clucas scored twice in a 5–1 victory over relegation rivals Hull City on 7 March 2020.{{cite news |title=Stoke City 5–1 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51685137 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 July 2020}} The season was then suspended until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He scored a vital goal against Birmingham City on 12 July 2020 as Stoke avoided relegation and finished in 15th position.{{cite web |title=Michael O'Neill gushing about Sam Clucas – and quietly slips in hope for future |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-sam-clucas-goals-4320456 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=26 July 2020}} Clucas made 46 appearances in 2019–20 and was top goalscorer with 11. Clucas had injury problems during the 2020–21 campaign, making 26 appearances and underwent surgery on a double hernia in February 2021.{{cite web |title=Clucas, Fletcher, McClean injury update as Stoke City stretched again |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-clucas-mcclean-injury-5054211 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=18 May 2021}}{{cite web |title=Stoke City boss spells out midfielder's transfer status |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-sam-clucas-5225291 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=18 May 2021}}
Clucas signed a new two-year contract extension with Stoke in July 2021.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: Stoke City midfielder extends contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57861912 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 July 2021}} Clucas had an inconsistent 2021–22 season, struggling with injuries and form which restricted him to 29 appearances of which 18 were starts.{{cite web |title=Honest Sam Clucas on Stoke City changing room, his own form and D'Margio Wright-Phillips message |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-sam-clucas-hull-6506508 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=20 May 2022}}{{cite web |title=Stoke City boss spells out midfielder's transfer status |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-sam-clucas-5225291 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=20 May 2022}} Injuries continued to hamper his game time in 2022–23 and he was released at the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Stoke City end of season player ratings for 32-man squad |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-season-player-ratings-8430517 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=12 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Stoke City: Phil Jagielka, Morgan Fox & Nick Powell among seven released |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65551664 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 May 2023}}
=Rotherham United=
Clucas joined Rotherham United on 15 September 2023 on a contract until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite news |title=Sam Clucas: Rotherham United sign ex-Stoke City midfielder for the rest of the season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66820468 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=15 September 2023}} On 7 May 2024, after the club were relegated, Rotherham announced the player would be released in the summer after his contract expired.{{cite web |date=7 May 2024 |title=Rotherham offer Jamie Lindsay new deal and also release 11 others |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c51nxxr3n75o |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=BBC Sport }}
= Oldham Athletic =
On 31 October 2024, Clucas joined National League club Oldham Athletic.{{cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title=Sam Clucas: Oldham Athletic sign veteran midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gzml55mj1o |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=BBC Sport }} He made his debut for Oldham on 2 November 2024 in a 2–1 win at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup in which Clucas grabbed an assist. He only made 8 appearances for the Latics as a clause in his contract, stating that if a League One side offered for him then he would be allowed to leave, was triggered.
= Return to Lincoln City =
On 17 January 2025, Clucas rejoined Lincoln City on a deal until the end of the season, with a club option of a further 12 months.{{cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=Clucas returns to the Imps|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/clucas-returns-imps |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Lincoln City FC }}{{cite news |date=17 January 2025 |title=Clucas re-signs for Lincoln after 15 years away|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckgnndkrr44o |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=BBC Sport}} He made his first league start away to Leyton Orient on 15 February 2025.{{cite web |date=15 February 2025 |title=Leyton Orient 3–2 Imps|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/leyton-orient-3-imps-2 |access-date=15 February 2025 |website=Lincoln City FC}} His first goal came on 19 February 2025 away in a 3–0 victory at Mansfield Town, which was nominated for the EFL goal of the month.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c79dp7q3vn8t|title=Mansfield Town 0–3 Lincoln City|date=18 February 2025|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=19 February 2025}}{{cite web|title=Cast your vote for February's Sky Bet Goal of the Month|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/march/07/cast-your-vote-for-february-s-sky-bet-goal-of-the-month/|website=EFL|date=7 March 2025 |access-date=7 March 2025}} Following the end of the 2024–25 season Clucas was released from Lincoln City, with Clucas saying he wanted to continue his playing career, but the Imps making it clear the door is open for him to start his coaching journey with the club.{{cite news |title=2025–26 squad update|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/202526-squad-update|access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Lincoln City |date=13 May 2025}}
= Shrewsbury Town =
On 29 May 2025, Clucas signed for Shrewsbury Town, signing a two-year deal.{{cite news |title=Salop snap up Sam Clucas!|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2025/may/29/salop-snap-up-sam-clucas/|access-date=29 May 2025 |work=Lincoln City |date=29 May 2025}}{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury sign Lincoln midfielder Clucas|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crr7kkejppzo|access-date=29 May 2025 |work=BBC |date=29 May 2025}}
International career
Clucas gained his only cap for England C when he played the full 90 minutes in 6–1 win against Bermuda on 6 June 2013.{{cite web |title=England C Team Defeat Bermuda 6–1 |url=http://bernews.com/2013/06/england-c-vs-bermuda-match-underway/ |website=Bernews |access-date=27 April 2020}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 29 March 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.stokecityfc.com/players/samclucas Profile] at the Stoke City F.C. website
{{Lincoln City F.C. squad}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clucas, Sam}}
Category:Footballers from Lincoln, England
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Nettleham F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:Jerez Industrial CF players
Category:Hereford United F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Hull City A.F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Tercera División players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain