McLaughlin completes Forest switch

Stephen McLaughlin has completed his move to nPower Championship side Nottingham Forest.

The 22-year-old has moved to the club for a reported fee of £160,000 (€200,000) on a three-and-a-half-year deal having impressed for the past two seasons with FAI Cup holders Derry City.

Doubt was cast over his transfer to Forest last week when manager Sean O’Driscoll was sacked, but newly appointed boss Alex McLeish has chosen to bring him to the club and chairman Fawz Al-Hasawi is delighted that they have secured McLaughlin’s signature.

“Stephen is an exciting young talent who been attracting attention from a number of other English clubs. 

“We are delighted he is joining us and look forward to helping him develop his career and fulfilling his great potential.” 

McLaughlin becomes the third League of Ireland player to make the move abroad in as many days with Sean Maguire making the switch from Waterford United to West Ham United while former Shelbourne midfielder Kevin Dawson signed for League One outfit Yeovil Town.

Dawson will be linking up with another LOI export at Yeovil as former Bohemians’ starlet Paddy Madden recently made his stay at Huish Park permanent following a successful loan spell from Carlisle United where he scored nine goals in 16 games.