McLaughlin moves on

COLERAINE FC can confirm that James McLaughlin will depart the club on the expiry of his contract…

The striker will end his eight-year association with the club, where he made 207 appearances and scored 72 times.

McLaughlin earned a deal with the Bannsiders in 2015 after impressing on trial and netted 20 times in his first full season in the top flight.

A cruciate knee injury cruelly ruled James out for the entirety of the 2017/18 season, but he scored the winner in the League Cup final against Crusaders in 2020.

Furthermore, James became the first Coleraine player since Michael McHugh back in 2002 to score in successive European games after netting against La Fiorita and NK Maribor.

James’ highlight reel of goals wouldn’t stop there as he netted an acrobatic effort against Dungannon Swifts from a corner kick, he scored an Irish Cup semi-final winner against Glenavon, as well as a speculative strike away at Crusaders.

Boss Oran Kearney paid tribute to the departing McLaughlin for his services to the club.

“James was a great lad and he was a pleasure to work with,” he said.

“He scored memorable goals for us both domestically and in Europe, so nobody will be able to take that away from him.

“He was fondly liked in the changing room and he goes with our very best wishes.”

Everyone at Coleraine FC wishes James the very best of luck for the next chapter in his career.