Ryan McLaughlin

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.

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. In August 2015, he was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.

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.

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 cohort for a tour of Central America, featuring games against Panama and Costa Rica.

Personal life
Born and raised in Belfast, McLaughlin has stated that he is a Catholic. 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.

Honours

 * St Patrick's Athletic
 * FAI Cup (1): 2023