McClean signs two-year extension with Linfield

Kyle McClean has pledged his future to Linfield by signing a new two-year contract with the club.

The 27-year-old midfielder signed for the Blues on loan from St Johnstone in 2019 before making the switch permanent the following year.

McClean was named Ulster Footballer of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Awards Player of the Year in 2024, netting 14 goals as Linfield finished the Irish Premiership season in second place and collected the League Cup.

"I've been here a while and I'm delighted to get everything sorted," McClean said on Linfield TV.

"I'm looking forward to being here for another couple of years at least.

"There have been difficult times with a couple of bad injuries, but the highs outweigh the lows. We've won a lot of trophies, leagues and cups.

"There have been a lot of good moments here and I've shared a lot of good memories with good people, so I'm looking forward to hopefully creating a few more."

His new deal will keep him at Windsor Park until the end of the 2027-28 season as he continues to be a "key part" of David Healy's squad.

"We're delighted to have Kyle's new deal officially confirmed," Healy told Linfield's website.

"His quality is well known throughout the league, and he has rightly earned a reputation as one of the top midfielders in the country. Having him commit his future to the club is a massive boost and a clear sign of his belief in what we are striving to build.

"Kyle will continue to play a key role within the squad. He is a complete professional and a pleasure to work with both on and off the pitch.

"A special thank you once again to our head of recruitment, Willie McKeown, for his hard work in getting this deal over the line."

Full-back Dane McCullough has also signed a new contract with the Blues which will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 21-year-old has made 13 appearances for Healy's side this season.