Rangers' George Edmundson to link up with Matt Clarke at Derby - 19 months after rejecting chance to be his Portsmouth successor

Now the 23-year-old, who snubbed the Blues in favour of Glasgow Rangers in the summer of 2019, could be set to link up with the former Fratton favourite.

The ex-Oldham ace is expected to join Championship Derby County today, subject to a medical.

And that means he could be soon lining up alongside the player he was expected to replace on the south coast for the rest of the season as Rams boss Wayne Rooney looks to bolster his squad before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

After Clarke agreed to join Brighton in the summer of 2019, Pompey’s recruitment team turned their attentions to Edmundson, with the Latics centre-half deemed a worthy successor.

A return of 79 appearances and three goals persuaded them to make an approach, with a bid eventually accepted.

However, Edmundson instead elected to move to Scottish giants Rangers, leaving Kenny Jackett to subsequently recruit Paul Downing on a free transfer and Sean Raggett on loan from Norwich.

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Yet, the Englishman has been unable to establish himself north of the border at Ibrox.

He’s made only 17 senior appearances since, with just two of them coming this season as he finds himself behind Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun in the Rangers central-defensive pecking order.

As for Clarke, he’s been loaned out twice for Brighton since his £3.4m switch to the Seagulls – both times to Derby.

In that time the 24-year-old has made 64 appearances for the Pride Park outfit.

His 65th appearance – likely to be against Rotherham on Saturday – could now see him partner the player whom Pompey had earmarked to be the heir apparent to his Fratton Park throne.

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