Deano is back! Royals announce re-signing of Dean Clarke for the 2025 season

Essendon Royals are pleased to announce the re-signing of Irish striker Dean Clarke ahead of the Senior Men’s 2025 VPL2 season.

In his first full season at the Royals since arriving from Ireland midway through 2023, Clarke bagged eight goals in 16 appearances for the senior side.

The Irishman finished the season on a high note with braces against Brunswick Juventus and Nunawading City after missing games earlier in the campaign through injury.

Clarke forged a tremendous partnership with fellow international signings Jordan Adeyemi and Graham Kelly – who have also re-signed for the club ahead of next year.

Arriving in Australia with an impressive football pedigree, Clarke played for the likes of Limerick, Shamrock Rovers, and St Patrick’s Athletic in the League of Ireland, and also featured in the Europa League qualifiers.

The Irish attacker scored 10 goals for the Royals in 2023, with his eight goals this season taking him to an impressive 18 goals in 37 league appearances in Essendon colours.

He joins Graham Kelly and Jordan Adeyemi as players to have re-signed for the senior men’s squad for the 2025 campaign.