Fleetwood Town have unveiled their eighth summer signing in the form of Preston North End full back, Conor McLaughlin.
By David Mitchell
Fleetwood Town have unveiled their eighth summer signing in the form of Preston North End full back, Conor McLaughlin.
The twenty-year old, who has already represented Northern Ireland at senior level, cannot wait to start:
‘I’m looking forward to the move. It will be a fresh and exciting challenge for me. I’m very impressed with the set-up at Fleetwood and everyone has been so friendly towards me. The club will be looking to push on from League Two and hopefully I can help them gain back-to-back promotions. Living at St. Annes I’ve heard a lot about the club’s progress and they’ve shown their ambitions with the quality of the players brought in. Damian Johnson is a legend back home!’
McLaughlin moved to Preston as a 16 year-old from his home in Northern Ireland:
‘I moved across as a scholar and came through the Preston youth team to make my debut for the first team a couple of years ago. I’ve managed to play a few games since then.’
The signing means that three of the new faces at Highbury are former-Preston players:
‘The arrival of Parky (Jon Parkin) and Baz (Barry Nicholson) shows the club’s ambition. I enjoyed getting to know them at Deepdale and they will bring a lot to the squad. I’ve already spoken to Baz and he was very complimentary about what he has seen so far.’
Although regarded as a full-back, McLaughlin has played in a variety of other positions:
‘I’m mainly a right back but have played everywhere at Preston apart from up front and in goal! I like to push forward and get crosses in.’
Town manager, Micky Mellon, is understandably pleased to be adding a player of McLaughlin’s ability to his Football League squad:
‘I am delighted to bring another international footballer to Highbury. It shows how far the football club has come. Conor is a player who has already proved himself and he brings a lot of potential. He is a versatile player and a very good footballer.’
Living at St. Annes means that the promising defender will not have to set his alarm too early for training in Lytham, a fact which he sees as one of the many advantages to joining Fleetwood Town!
