Labonte joins Finn Harps

Finn Harps FC today signed experienced defender Aaron Labonte from Scottish Div 1 side Dunfermline AFC.

Harps have agreed an initial loan deal till the end of the season with the option of making the switch permanent thereafter. Labonte, aged 24, is a pacey right back who is equally comfortable in the centre of defence and has made 85 appearances for the Scottish outfit.

Starting off as a trainee at Newcastle United in 2002 Labonte was offered a trail by Dunfermline and impressed the Pars enough to be offered a 2½-year contract at East End Park. He made a great start to his career at Dunfermline, initially impressing in the Under 21’s with his pace, passing ability and reading of the game. He made his Pars first team debut in a September 2003 in a 4-0 SPL defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, and his good displays were rewarded with a place in the starting line up in the 2004 Scottish Cup final. He was given the most difficult task imaginable in that game when asked to mark Henrik Larssen in the showpiece against Celtic FC.

Injury curtailed his involvement in the 04/05 campaign but started 23 matches in 2005/06 and 13 in the following season. The arrival of Stephen Kenny saw Labonte feature less in the team and he was told by the Dubliner that he was not in his plans prior to Kenny’s own departure from Dunfermline.

Finn Harps boss Paul Hegarty hailed the signing “It’s a tremendous signing for us to be honest, the lads has got great experience having played in two Scottish Cup finals, and has something like 50 starts in the SPL. He’s still only 24 and he’s hungry and that’s the kind of player we want.”

“He can play at right back or at centre half so he is versatile, which is a big bonus as well” he added.