Former Huddersfield Town skipper Peter Clarke has been snapped up by Bury after leaving their Lancashire rivals Blackpool.

The 33-year-old centre-back, who skippered Town to League I play-off final success in 2012, has signed a two-year deal at Gigg Lane.

And he is set to come face to face with Blackpool next season after they were relegated from the Championship and Bury were promoted from League II.

Former England Under 21 international Clarke made 224 appearances in five years at Town.

Released by the John Smith’s Stadium club last summer, he joined Blackpool for a second time and played 41 times during a troubled campaign.

Clarke, who has also played for Everton and Southend United, has more than 550 club games to his credit.

Bury boss David Flitcroft said: “He is a natural born leader and organiser; a football man of stature and standing in the game.

“With the young, dynamic defenders we currently have at the club, he will complement them superbly.

“We worked hard to secure Peter’s services as we believe he can improve and take us forward.

His greatest quality is as a person. We already have an outstanding group, so it is important we recruit good players but more importantly good people.”