STEVEN MCLAUGHLIN HAS become the latest player to make the switch to a British club from the League of Ireland by joining Championship side Nottingham Forest on a three-and-a-half year deal.
The talented winger moves from Derry City, where he spent two seasons having been signed from Finn Harps in 2010. The Donegal native earned himself a trial with Forest after helping the Candystripes to fifth place in the Premier Division and an FAI Cup win over St Patrick’s Athletic while chipping in with 18 goals for the club.
The 22-year-old impressed during a week at the City Ground in December and joins for a fee that could rise to as much as €200,000.
“Things are just going better and better each week for me,” McLaughlin told the club’s official website. ”I came here on trial after I won the FAI Cup with Derry City.
“I was called back, completed my fitness test and medical, went home for Christmas and now I’m back again to sign.
“I’m not used to how professionally things are run here – this is my first major club. No disrespect to Derry, but this is a massive club and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
“I heard that Alan Hill was coming over to have a look at me and I was excited, but there were a heap of scouts watching me throughout the season so I just played my normal game. Thankfully, he liked what he saw and brought me over.
“I’m a natural left winger. I do a lot of defending as well as attacking and have this year brought goals to my game – I scored 18 goals last season and created a lot, too. Hopefully I can do the same here.
I’m 22. Playing in the development squad will be very important. It’ll allow me to get my bearings and to get a feel of how the game is played over here. Hopefully, from there, I’ll be called upon for the first team.”
McLaughlin also said that he is hoping to emulate the achievements of former Ireland international Andy Reid, who began his career at Forest and is currently an important part of Alex McLeish’s team.
He adds: “I remember watching him on television when I was younger. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps. He’s a good guy – I’ve spoken to him a few times and he wished me all the best.”
Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi added: “Stephen is an exciting young talent who been attracting attention from a number of other English clubs.
“We are delighted he is joining us and look forward to helping him develop his career and fulfilling his great potential.”
As well as Reid, Simon Cox and Killarney defender Brendan Maloney are on the books while there are also a number of Irish players in the development squad.
McLaughlin follows in the footsteps of the likes of James McClean, Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn in moving across the water from Derry in recent years.
