Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern returns home to sign for Linfield

Linfield have added to their squad further ahead of the Danske Bank Premiership kick-off with the signing of Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern.

McGivern made six appearances for Sky Bet League Two club Swindon Town last season on a short-term deal and has now opted to return home to Northern Ireland.

McGivern, who began his career at Manchester City, can play as a left or centre-back, boosting the Blues defensive options.

Newry-born McGivern made his international debut as an 18-year-old in 2008, and has gone on to make 25 appearances for Northern Ireland.

The most recent came as a half-time substitute in a 3-0 friendly defeat to Croatia in November 2016.

He has expressed his desire to break back into the Northern Ireland squad and believes regular football is the only way to get back into the international set-up.

McGivern's is the third major signature the Blues have made this summer, with Daniel Kearns and Michael O'Connor having arrived from Limerick and Shamrock Rovers respectively.

“Ryan is an experienced player who’s played for a number of clubs in England and Scotland and he’s played around 25 times for his country,” manager David Healy told the club's website.

“He’s a player I know well having played with him at international level and he will give us added quality and steel across the back line.

“He’s a left-sided defende,r either in a central role or at full back, and I’d like to thank the board for their backing in this and other recent signings.

“I’d also pay tribute to Willle McKeown our chief scout for his detailed work in recruiting Ryan to the club.

“It’s nice to be able to deliver on all the hard work that has gone in to bringing players of the quality of Ryan McGivern, Daniel Kearns and Michael O’Connor to the club.

“Ryan knows the club and the stadium and he will settle in easily and quickly. He’s looking forward to the challenge of bringing success to the club and he can’t wait to get started.

“I know our supporters will welcome Ryan to the club and I believe he can make a major contribution to the club over the course of his 3 year contract.

“That contribution will start with some game time away to PSNI tomorrow.”