Ryan McLaughlin

Northern Irish footballer

Ryan McLaughlin

McLaughlin warming up for St Patrick's Athletic in 2023

Personal information
Full name|  Ryan McLaughlin[1]
Date of birth|  (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth|  Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height|  5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s)|  Right-back
Team information

Current team

|  St Patrick's Athletic
Number|  23
Youth career
2009–2011|  Glenavon
2011–2014|  Liverpool
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2014–2016|  Liverpool|  0|  (0)
2014|  → Barnsley (loan)|  9|  (0)
2015–2016|  → Aberdeen (loan)|  4|  (0)
2016–2018|  Oldham Athletic|  52|  (3)
2018–2019|  Blackpool|  6|  (0)
2019–2021|  Rochdale|  50|  (0)
2021–2022|  Morecambe|  19|  (0)
2023–|  St Patrick's Athletic|  31|  (0)
International career‡
2009–2010|  Northern Ireland U16|  11|  (0)
2010–2011|  Northern Ireland U17|  13|  (0)
2011–2012|  Northern Ireland U19|  7|  (2)
2012–2016|  Northern Ireland U21|  6|  (0)
2014–2018|  Northern Ireland|  5|  (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:11, 4 July 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 15:28, 28 July 2023 (UTC)

Ryan McLaughlin (born 30 September 1994) is a Northern Irish footballer who last played as a right-back for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic. He has been capped five times by the Northern Ireland national team during his career.

## Club career

[edit]

### Liverpool

[edit]

McLaughlin with Liverpool in 2012.

Liverpool signed 16-year-old Ryan McLaughlin in the summer of 2011 from Glenavon on a three-year deal.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5] Two days later his loan was extended until the end of the season.[6]

The only senior appearance McLaughlin made in the 2014–15 season was in an international friendly for Northern Ireland.[7] In August 2015, he was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.[7][8]

On 10 June 2016, he was released from the club.[9]

### Oldham Athletic

[edit]

On 8 August 2016, McLaughlin signed a one-year deal with League One side Oldham Athletic, with the option of a further year.[10] He was offered a new contract by Oldham at the end of the 2017–18 season, following their relegation.[11]

### Blackpool

[edit]

He joined Blackpool on 17 July 2018 with the clubs agreeing a compensation package.[12]

### Rochdale

[edit]

On 23 January 2019, McLaughlin signed for Rochdale for an undisclosed fee.[13]

On 17 August 2020, McLaughlin returned to Rochdale signing a one-year contract.[14]

### Morecambe

[edit]

On 10 September 2021, McLaughlin joined League One side Morecambe on a one-year deal.[15]

On 1 September 2022, it was announced that McLaughlin had departed the club by mutual consent.[16]

### St Patrick's Athletic

[edit]

On 28 July 2023, McLaughlin signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic.[17] He made his debut for the club on 25 August 2023, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 win away to UCD.[18] 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.[19] He signed a new contract with the club on 7 December 2023.[20] 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.[21] On 5 December 2024, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed a new contract with the club.[22] 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.[23]

## International career

[edit]

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.[24]

On 19 May 2014, he was once again called up to the senior squad for two friendly matches in South America.[25] 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.[26]

May 2018 saw a return to the Northern Ireland team, after he was called up to the cohort for a tour of Central America, featuring games against Panama and Costa Rica.[27]

## Personal life

[edit]

Born and raised in Belfast, McLaughlin has stated that he is a Catholic.[28] McLaughlin is the younger brother of fellow defender Conor McLaughlin.[27] He is friends with boxer Michael Conlan, and is sometimes nicknamed "Becks".[29] McLaughlin proposed to his partner Jennifer on Christmas Eve 2023 at the Rockefeller Ice Rink.[30] 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.[31]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

As of match played 24 July 2025[32]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Europe | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Liverpool | 2013–14 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0
2014–15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0[c] | 0 | – | 0 | 0
2015–16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0[d] | 0 | – | 0 | 0
Total  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0
Barnsley (loan)  | 2013–14 | Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 0
Aberdeen (loan)  | 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0
Oldham Athletic | 2016–17 | League One | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 4[e] | 0 | 43 | 2
2017–18 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 2[e] | 0 | 19 | 1
Total  | 52 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | 62 | 3
Blackpool | 2018–19 | League One | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 3[e] | 0 | 11 | 0
Rochdale | 2018–19 | League One | 13 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 13 | 0
2019–20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 0[e] | 0 | 6 | 0
2020–21 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 1[e] | 0 | 36 | 0
Total  | 50 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 56 | 0
Morecambe | 2021–22 | League One | 19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1[e] | 0 | 23 | 0
2022–23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0[e] | 0 | 0 | 0
Total  | 19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0
St Patrick's Athletic | 2023 | LOI Premier Division | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 4 | 0
2024 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0[f] | 0 | 3[g] | 0 | 19 | 0
2025 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3[f] | 0 | 2[g] | 0 | 18 | 0
Total  | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 41 | 0
Career total  | 171 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 206 | 3

1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup & FAI Cup
2. ^ Includes EFL Cup & Scottish League Cup
3. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Champions League & UEFA Europa League
4. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
5. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in the EFL Trophy
6. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the UEFA Conference League
7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the Leinster Senior Cup

### International

[edit]

As of match played 3 June 2018[33]
Appearances and goals by national team and year  National team | Year | Apps | Goals

|
|
|

Northern Ireland | 2014 | 2 | 0
2015 | 1 | 0
2018 | 2 | 0
Total | 5 | 0

## Honours

[edit]

St Patrick's Athletic

* FAI Cup (1): 2023
* Leinster Senior Cup (1): 2023–24

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Oldham Athletic" (PDF). English Football League. p. 57. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
2. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin | Football Stats | St Patrick's Athletic | Age 30 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
3. ^ "Liverpool dive into Northern Ireland pool of talent". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
4. ^ "McLaughlin Signs on Loan from Liverpool". Barnsley F.C. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
5. ^ "McLaughlin Injury Blow for Reds". Barnsley FC. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
6. ^ "McLaughlin Extends Barnsley Stay". Barnsley FC. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
7. ^ a b "Aberdeen: Liverpool's Ryan McLaughlin arrives on loan". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
8. ^ "McLaughlin seals Scottish loan switch". Liverpool F.C. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
9. ^ "View The Retained And Released Lists Submitted By Premier League Clubs". The FA.
10. ^ "SIGNING: Robinson Adds McLaughlin To His Squad". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
11. ^ "Oldham Athletic release seven after relegation to League Two". BBC Sport. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
12. ^ "Blackpool sign Oldham defender Ryan McLaughlin and ex-Arsenal left-back Marc Bola". BBC Sport. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
13. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin Joins Rochdale From Blackpool On A Permanent Deal". Rochdale A.F.C. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
14. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin Returns". Rochdale A.F.C. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
15. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin: Morecambe sign Northern Ireland defender on one-year deal". BBC. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
16. ^ "McLaughlin Departs the Club by Mutual Consent". Morecambe FC. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
17. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin Joins The Saints". www.stpatsfc.com.
18. ^ "Joe Redmond on target as Saints march on". Independent.ie. 25 August 2023.
19. ^ Fullerton, Gareth (12 November 2023). "NI footballer shares comical 'John Terry' moment after FAI Cup win". Belfast Live.
20. ^ "McLaughlin Extends Saints Contract". www.stpatsfc.com.
21. ^ Team, Extratime. "St Patrick's Athletic crowned Leinster Senior Cup winners". extratime.com.
22. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin Signs New Contract". www.stpatsfc.com.
23. ^ "Sub Aidan Keena delivers spot of relief for Saints to end goal drought". www.independent.ie. 10 July 2025.
24. ^ "Quartet withdraw from NI squad". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
25. ^ "Defender Ryan McLaughlin back in Northern Ireland squad". BBC Sport. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
26. ^ "Uruguay 1–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
27. ^ a b "Northern Ireland: Ryan McLaughlin replaces George Saville for Central American tour". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
28. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin: I won't switch to Republic of Ireland". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 29 May 2014 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
29. ^ "Ryan McLaughlin: The life of a free agent footballer". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
30. ^ "NI footballer stuns girlfriend with New York proposal in front of cheering crowd". Belfast Live. 26 December 2023.
31. ^ "St Pat's Ryan McLaughlin admits he stayed at Liverpool too long and lauds Conor Bradley's 'unbelievable' rise". 2 May 2024.
32. ^ "Northern Ireland - R. McLaughlin - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
33. ^ Ryan McLaughlin at National-Football-Teams.com

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ryan McLaughlin.

* Ryan McLaughlin at Premier League (archived)
* Ryan McLaughlin at irishfa.com
* Ryan McLaughlin – UEFA competition record (archive)
* Ryan McLaughlin at Soccerbase
* Ryan McLaughlin at Soccerway

* v
* t
* e

St Patrick's Athletic F.C. – current squad

* 1 Rogers
* 2 Hoare
* 3 Breslin
* 4 Redmond (c)
* 5 Grivosti
* 6 Lennon
* 7 Elbouzedi
* 8 Forrester
* 9 Melia
* 10 Leavy
* 11 McClelland
* 14 Kavanagh
* 15 Carty
* 17 Palmer
* 18 Keena
* 19 Baggley
* 20 Mulraney
* 21 Sjöberg
* 23 McLaughlin
* 24 Turner
* 25 Power
* 26 Robinson
* 30 Kazeem
* 49 Molloy
* 94 Anang
* Manager: Kenny
* Assistant Coach: Gartland
* Assistant Coach: O'Connor

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Molloy]: Sean Molloy