Ryan McLaughlin

Ryan McLaughlin (born 30 September 1994) is a Northern Irish footballer who last played as a right-back for USL Championship club Brooklyn FC. He has been capped five times by the Northern Ireland national team during his career.

Club career

Early Career McLaughlin played in the youth ranks for Lisburn Youth in Drumbo and was then picked up by Glenavon F.C. of the Irish League. in December 2009.

Liverpool

Liverpool signed 16-year-old Ryan McLaughlin in the summer of 2011 from Glenavon on a three-year deal.

On 9 January 2014, McLaughlin was signed by Football League Championship side Barnsley on a 28-day loan deal and was given squad number 27. He made his club and senior career debut on 18 January against Blackpool in the Championship. On 29 January 2014 it was announced that McLaughlin sustained an injury that will keep him out for four weeks. Two days later his loan was extended until the end of the season.

The only senior appearance McLaughlin made in the 2014–15 season was in an international friendly for Northern Ireland.

On 10 June 2016, he was released from the club.

Oldham Athletic On 8 August 2016, McLaughlin signed a one-year deal with League One side Oldham Athletic, with the option of a further year. He was offered a new contract by Oldham at the end of the 2017–18 season, following their relegation.

Blackpool He joined Blackpool on 17 July 2018 with the clubs agreeing a compensation package.

Rochdale On 23 January 2019, McLaughlin signed for Rochdale for an undisclosed fee.

On 17 August 2020, McLaughlin returned to Rochdale signing a one-year contract.

Morecambe On 10 September 2021, McLaughlin joined League One side Morecambe on a one-year deal.

On 1 September 2022, it was announced that McLaughlin had departed the club by mutual consent.

St Patrick's Athletic On 28 July 2023, McLaughlin signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic. He made his debut for the club on 25 August 2023, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 win away to UCD. McLaughlin featured in the Quarter and Semi Finals of the club's run to the 2023 FAI Cup Final, but missed out on the matchday squad due to injury as his side defeated Bohemians 3–1 at the Aviva Stadium in front of a record FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881. He signed a new contract with the club on 7 December 2023. On 8 October 2024, McLaughlin captained a second string Pats side to a 2–1 win over St Mochta's in the final of the 2023–24 Leinster Senior Cup. On 5 December 2024, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed a new contract with the club. On 10 July 2025, McLaughlin made the first appearance in European competition of his career in a 1–0 win over Hegelmann of Lithuania in the UEFA Conference League at Richmond Park. On 14 August 2025, he scored his first goal for the club, giving his side a 2–0 lead away to Turkish giants Beşiktaş in the UEFA Conference League. He made a total of 53 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal, before departing at the end of his contract in November 2025.

Brooklyn FC On 3 March 2026, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed for newly formed USL Championship club Brooklyn FC ahead of their inaugural season. On 8 March 2026, he made his debut for the club in their first ever game, a 1–0 victory over Indy Eleven.

International career McLaughlin has represented Northern Ireland at Under-16, Under-17 and currently at Under-19 and Under-21 level. He was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for a friendly against Finland on 15 August 2012 but was forced to withdraw due to a hip injury.

On 19 May 2014, he was once again called up to the senior squad for two friendly matches in South America. On 31 May 2014, he made his National Team debut as a substitute against Uruguay. McLaughlin became the first Liverpool player to appear for the Irish Football Association selection since Elisha Scott 78 years previously.

May 2018 saw a return to the Northern Ireland team, after he was called up to the squad for a tour of Central America, featuring games against Panama and Costa Rica. McLaughlin is the younger brother of fellow defender Conor McLaughlin. He is friends with boxer Michael Conlan, and is sometimes nicknamed "Becks". McLaughlin proposed to his partner Jennifer on Christmas Eve 2023 at the Rockefeller Ice Rink. In 2024, McLaughlin stated in an interview that as well as providing him with occasional media work, his former club Liverpool were currently putting him through his UEFA B licence for coaching.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours St Patrick's Athletic FAI Cup (1): 2023 Leinster Senior Cup (1): 2023–24