General
- Thursday December 5th, 2024 @ 11:50
Ryan McLaughlin Signs New Contract
St Patrick's Athletic are pleased to confirm that the latest player to extend his contract with the club is Ryan McLaughlin.
The Northern Ireland international arrived at Richmond Park at the end of the 2023 July transfer window and will be heading into his third season as a Saint in 2025.
Ryan (30) has played 23 times for St Pat's so far, and was part of our 2023 FAI Cup winning squad.
He made his debut in the 1-0 league win away to UCD on August 25th 2023.
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The former Liverpool right-back has been capped five times at senior international level by Northern Ireland.
Ryan said:
"I'm delighted to get it done and to be back in training.
We've been in a couple of days this week and everyone is buzzing to be back and we're all looking forward to pre-season ahead in January.
I've loved it here at St Pat's. Obviously when you come back from England, you don't know too much about the league but I feel the league is brilliant.
The fanbases and all the atmospheres, I've loved it as have my family coming to watch the games.
There's just a real feel good factor around the club and around the place in general so it's just great to be here for another year and I'm really looking forward to it."
Watch Ryan's full interview on our YouTube channel below.
Manager Stephen Kenny is delighted to have McLaughlin back on board for 2025:
"Ryan has always had great pedigree, playing for Liverpool initially and being a full Northern Ireland international.
The big question mark for him was the injury problems that he's faced in his time at the club, when he was rushed back he couldn't show his full potential but since the summer when he returned, he had a consistent training block and he really excelled and brought his game onto another level.
Ryan finished the season really strongly and showed real pace, ability to overlap, quality in his passing and crossing.
He makes good decisions in his defending and his experience is invaluable in that regard.
Ryan has proved himself to be an important character in the dressing room who goes above and beyond for his team-mates.
He turned down offers from some good clubs to stay here and we are very pleased he did so, we look forward to his contribution for the season ahead."
While Director of Football Ger O'Brien said:
"We are really pleased that Ryan has decided to stay with St Patrick's Athletic.
He is an important player and person both on and off the pitch, who has great personality and ability.
Having returned from injury, Ryan played a big role in the last number of games of the 2024 season with some really high levels of performance, and also showed his quality over the previous 18 months.
We are delighted to have him back for 2025."
McLaughlin joined Liverpool from Glenavon in 2011 and featured for their U18s, U21s and U23s as well as having loan spells at Barnsley and Aberdeen.
Ryan joined Oldham Athletic in August 2016 and spent two years at Boundary Park, making 52 appearances.
The Belfast native moved to Blackpool in July 2018 before leaving for Rochdale in January 2019.
McLaughlin played 50 times for Rochdale before signing for Morecambe in September 2021.
