Love Island: Which football team does Tom Clare play for?

After introducing us to the first batch of sexy singletons in Love Island 2023, Maya Jama dropped a shock bombshell: Tom Clare.

Following the announcement of the cast, which includes Tanya Manhenga, Anna-May Robey, Ron Hall and Kai Fagan, it was revealed in a huge new twist that there are two bombshells who are also hoping to join the islanders, leaving the power in the viewers’ hands.

It was ultimately decided 23-year-old footballer Tom would be the first bombshell to enter the villa and stir things up.

And while we wait to find out about him in tonight’s episode, here’s what we know about his football career so far…

Which football team does Tom Clare play for? Tom became this series’ first bombshell (Picture: Shutterstock)

Tom is a striker who plays for non-league team Macclesfield FC, which he joined in June 2021.

Ahead of the series premiere, Tom’s football club Macclesfield FC – which was only founded in October 2020 to replace the former Macclesfield Town FC – released a statement about his involvement on the show.

‘Macclesfield FC can confirm that the club have granted Tom Clare an extended period of leave in order to appear in this year’s Love Island competition,’ it read.

It was explained that Tom approached the club with his request to appear on the programme ‘a number of weeks ago’, and the football side ‘were happy to show the same loyalty that he has to us since becoming one of our first-ever signings back in 2021’.

‘Despite the fact that we are disappointed to lose a player of Tom’s calibre for the foreseeable future, we also recognise the incredible opportunity that this represents for both him and his family on a personal level,’ the statement continued.

Tom is a striker who plays for non-league team Macclesfield FC (Picture: ITV)

‘Tom remains very much part of our plans here are the Leasing.com stadium and has expressed his unwavering desire to return to the club after the show. We wish Tom every success and look forward to welcoming him back to the club in due course.’

Has he played for any other teams?

Tom began his footballing career at Barnsley and spent 11 years there before moving to join Bradford City.

Ahead of entering the villa, Tom said: ‘I want to meet someone. It’s good going out and having a laugh but I miss sharing stuff. Life’s too short. These opportunities don’t come around often.

‘I’m a good laugh, a good vibe. I’m not snakey, I don’t like that kind of stuff. If I’ve got an issue with someone I’ll speak to them.’

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

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