Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has been signed by Northern Irish champions Linfield after his mysterious exit from Premiership rivals Kilmarnock.
The 35-year-old forward was released by Killie only last week after a “disciplinary issue” [Herald] saw the Rugby Park club tear up his contract on deadline day.
This was after the striker had just served a ten-match ban for the alleged use of sectarian language, an incident Lafferty himself branded “out of order” [Kilmarnock].
Now, Kyle Lafferty has officially joined Linfield, with the ex-Rangers striker returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in his career and signing a contract until the end of the season.
Kyle Lafferty signs for Linfield
Set to wear the number 28 shirt, former Rangers and Northern Ireland striker David Healy, who is the manager of Linfield, praised the signing of Kyle Lafferty.
“I’m delighted to advise our supporters that Kyle Lafferty has today signed for the club until the end of the season, subject to the normal international clearance formalities,” said Linfield boss Healy.
“He’s an out of contract player with vast experience at all levels of the game and he’s a player I know very well.
“His signing will strengthen the squad and he will give us a different attacking option, ahead of the remaining games in this hard fought and fiercely competitive league campaign.
“I’ve no doubt that this signing will give everyone at the club a real boost and he can certainly make a significant contribution and impact over the course of the short term contract that he has signed here today.
“Our kit manager Gary Eccles advises me that Kyle will wear the number 28 squad number shirt over the period of his time here and I know there will be huge interest from our supporters in wanting to get along to see Kyle in action in the Windsor Park stadium that he knows so well.
“I want to thank our recruitment and development manager Willie McKeown for his considerable effort in bringing this deal to a conclusion and I also want to thank the board for their backing in bringing in a player of this top level calibre and pedigree.“
Linfield will be the 15th club Kyle Lafferty has played for in his career after turning out for Burnley, Darlington, Rangers (twice), Sion, Palermo, Norwich, Rizespor, Birmingham, Hearts, Sarpsborg, Sunderland, Reggina, Kilmarnock (twice) and Anorthosis Farmagusta.
Kyle Lafferty made 164 appearances across two stints with Rangers, scoring 42 goals and winning three Scottish Premiership titles.
Meanwhile, Cedric Itten is firing his new club to the title after leaving Rangers.
