Nottingham Forest sign Stephen McLaughlin
Nottingham Forest have made their first January signing in Stephen McLaughlin from Derry City.
The 22-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee after being targeted under former manager Sean O'Driscoll.
McLaughlin, who plays as a left sided winger, impressed during a weeks trial at the City Ground.
The Irishman will go straight into the development squad and is not expected to feature in the first team straight away.
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In a club statement, McLaughlin said: "Things are just going better and better each week for me. 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."
Chairman, Fawaz Al Hasawi, said: "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."
Comments
by NFFC1898
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:27PM
“I hope AM sticks him on the bench tomorrow but somehow I doubt it!”
by farcall2
Friday, January 04 2013, 3:27PM
“nearly every team weve visited this season has had its best crowd, thats the pull of a club that doesn't keep its cups in the canteen,.. nice one Forest mad I like the cut of ya jib.al”
by Forest_mad
Friday, January 04 2013, 3:07PM
“Don't worry Rednight, they will get their only 30,000 gate this season on the 19th when the famous club down the A5-2 come to town. The upsetting thing about that is it will probably take their average attendance back up above ours for a short time which is poor taking into account their Toyata freebies, Groupon vouchers and mobile phone freebies.
It's amazing how they go back up above us in the league for the 2nd time in 5 months on goal difference and they all crawl out of the woodwork.”
by rednight
Friday, January 04 2013, 2:09PM
“sneenyTRAMP How can you call the bin dippers and the sheep molesters big clubs you havent won a cup between you in fact you havent got a cup to P@ss in.
and please tell me when you had 30,000 this season you can barely make 20,000 because your mobiles are u/s and they are not giving anymore free season tickets away.
Direby home of the plodders and paying kids a quid to play.”
by YouBaggies
Friday, January 04 2013, 2:06PM
“snennyram
your closing line on this story be
I just Can't stop Mc Laugh In……….”
by rednight
Friday, January 04 2013, 1:58PM
“sneenyTRAMP How many years is it since we were in the prem and how many seasons did we play in the third division I seem to have forgotten I will be glad when you are back at school so will your mum as she wont be so worried about what you are doing with your sister whilst she is walking Rose Hill Street and feeding the ******* at the soup kitchen.”
by flipflopper
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:35AM
“Tramp boy, isn't 20 stone a little heavy for a lad of 13?”
by AcapulcoAngus
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:09AM
“direby have indeed won in the last 3 meetings between us and them as we won the the 2 prior to that. Now is the time to level things. I also think that prat park should be levelled and the best time to do it would be at half time when they are playing fester! It's a win win scenario!”
by Psycho66
Friday, January 04 2013, 10:49AM
“I have a mate that lives in Derry and watches them week in week out, he tells me this guy is their best player by miles and is quick and skillful but always gets back to cover. He admits the level of football is like our Div 4 but this guy really stands out and could make it all the way. He is gutted he has gone and says its like Ronaldo leaving Man U. You have to remember my friend is Irish.”
by Shifty_Powers
Friday, January 04 2013, 10:04AM
“Great.
I came on hear to read opinions and had to skip 90% of the posts as they are either by WUM's or about WUM's.
I recognise the irony...
God I love the internet!
Al”