Northern Ireland defender Ryan McLaughlin has secured a new club after joining Morecambe.
McLaughlin has signed a one-year deal with the Shrimps, almost three months after leaving Rochdale.
The 26-year-old right-back - who has been capped five times by Northern Ireland - says he can't wait to get started after joining the League One outfit.
“It’s a great feeling," McLaughlin told the club's website.
“I’ve had to wait a while, I finished the season in May and we’re in September now, but it’s great just to finally get it going and I’ve been training with the lads all week, so I’ve been really enjoying it.
“I know the gaffer from when I was 13 or 14 with the underage groups at Northern Ireland so I’ve always been looking out for his results.
“I’ve seen the performances and how good a lot of them have been, especially getting good results against the bigger clubs as you would say in League One, we can obviously hold our own and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
McLaughlin - whose previous clubs include Liverpool, Oldham and Blackpool - links up with former Northern Ireland international Stephen Robinson at the Mazuma Stadium.
The Morecambe boss said: “It’s a position I felt we were light in with Kelvin Mellor going.
“I believe that we’ve got a very good player in Ryan McLaughlin, I’ve worked with Ryan since he was 15 years of age and all the international levels, and I signed him at Oldham as well.
“He’s now become a more mature player, he’s played a lot of games at League One level, he’ll certainly rival Ryan Cooney now and really push Ryan on as well hopefully, but he also gives me options in other positions.
“Ryan can play in a variety of different positions, at full-back, right-wing, left-side he’s played as well, left-back, left-wing, so he’s another one that I believe adds to the squad.”
