Kyle Lafferty

Kyle Lafferty (born 16 September 1987) is a professional association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team.

Club career

Burnley

Lafferty was born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. He began his career with NFC Kesh, playing in the Fermanagh & Western League. In 2004 he signed a youth team apprenticeship with English Football League Championship team Burnley F.C.. The following season saw him begin to make an impression upon the Burnley first team. He made his debut during a 2-1 away league defeat to Crewe Alexandra F.C. on August 6 2005, coming on as a 89th minute substitute for Garreth O'Connor.

In January 2006, Lafferty joined Darlington F.C. on loan. He went on to make nine appearances and net three goals for the club, including a scoring debut against Notts County F.C. on 7 January. He returned to Burnley in January 2007.

He scored his first senior goal against Luton Town F.C., netting the equaliser for Burnley during a 1-1 draw on 30 April 2006. Lafferty played 89 times and scored 10 goals during his time at Burnley.

Rangers

On 16 June 2008, Burnley accepted a bid from Rangers F.C. of £3m plus Alan Gow but talks with Gow over his move to Turf Moor broke down. But Lafferty moved to Rangers on 19 June after the transfer offer was readjusted and Gow written out. He made his Rangers debut as an 89th minute substitute during a UEFA Champions League qualifier on 5 August 2008 against FBK Kaunas. His first goal came in his second appearance during a Scottish Premier League match against Hearts F.C. on 16 August 2008.

International career

During 2006, he received his first senior Northern Ireland national football team call-up on a post-season trip to the USA to play friendly games against Romania national football team and Uruguay national football team. Lafferty scored his first Northern Ireland goal in an away friendly against Finland national football team the following year.

He featured predominantly as the second striker alongside David Healy (footballer) during Northern Ireland's Euro 2008 qualification group, and he scored his first competitive international goal in a 4–1 victory over group minnows Liechtenstein national football team. He then secured a 1–1 draw away to Sweden national football team, scoring Northern Ireland's equaliser in the second half.

On 26 March 2008, he bagged his first international brace, scoring two goals in a friendly against Georgia national football team which Northern Ireland won 4–1.

International goals