Macclesfield forward Tom Clare exempt from upcoming series Island of love through the club.
The 23-year-old was selected as one of the first ITV2 bombshells along with Ellie Spencer, 25, a business development manager at a Norwich law firm.
The series begins on Monday, January 16 at a villa in South Africa, and in a new twist, the public can vote on who Tom or Ellie sends into battle first.
Here’s what you need to know about Claire’s football career and what he had to say about his performances. Island of love.
Tom Clare football career
Claire plays as a striker for Macclesfield, the successor to 146-year-old Macclesfield Town that went into liquidation in October 2020 due to financial problems.
The club is currently eight points behind the leaders of the Western Division of the Northern Premier League.
Claire was Macclesfield’s top scorer in her debut 2021–22 season, scoring 23 times.
Former Welsh international Robbie Savage, who played for Blackburn, Leicester and Derby in the Premier League, is the club’s director of football and often refers to Claire as “Mr Blackburn”. Island of love”.
In a statement released on Thursday, Macclesfield said: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that the club has granted Tom Clare an extended leave of absence for this year’s competition. Island of love Contest.
“Tom approached us with a request a few weeks ago and we were delighted to show the same dedication he has shown us since becoming one of our first contracts in 2021.
“While we are disappointed to lose a player of Tom’s stature in the near future, we also recognize the incredible opportunity this represents for both him and his family on a personal level.
“Tom remains an important part of our plans here at Leasing.com Stadium and he has expressed an unwavering desire to return to the club after the show.
“We wish Tom the best of luck and look forward to welcoming him to the club in due course.”
Claire, 6ft 5in, signed with Macclesfield of Pontefract and was also listed by Barnsley and Bradford City.
What did Tom Clare say about Love Island?
Claire has big ambitions for his stay at the villa, where he says he will “play on the field”.
In his promo video, he says, “No one has approached me since my ex-girlfriend said wow. Until I do, I really won’t settle for anything less.
“Not in a bad way, but the next person I meet, I want to marry.”