{{short description|Irish footballer}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Evan McLaughlin | full_name = Evan McLaughlin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2002|3|30}} | birth_place = [[Derry (city)|Derry]], Northern Ireland | height = | position = [[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]]<br />[[Left back]] | currentclub = [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] | clubnumber = 8 | youthyears1 = –2020 | youthclubs1 = [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] | years1 = 2020–2023 | clubs1 = [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] | caps1 = 30 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2022 | clubs2 = → [[Coleraine F.C.|Coleraine]] (loan) | caps2 = 20 | goals2 = 3 | years3 = 2024–2025 | clubs3 = [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]] | caps3 = 63 | goals3 = 8 | years4 = 2026– | clubs4 = [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | club-update = 18:50, 26 December 2025 (UTC) }} '''Evan McLaughlin''' (born 30 March 2002) is a Northern Irish professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] or [[left back]] for [[League of Ireland Premier Division]] club [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]]. His former clubs are [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]], [[Coleraine F.C.|Coleraine]] and [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]].
==Career== ===Youth career=== [[Derry (city)|Derry]] man McLaughlin came through the academy at [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]], playing for their under-17 side from 2018 to 2019, before playing for their under-19s from 2019 to 2021 when he made his first team debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11128335/evan_mclaughlin/|title=Evan McLaughlin | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}</ref>
===Derry City=== After being an unused substitute twice in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/stats/11128335/evan_mclaughlin/?results=2020#detailed|title=Evan McLaughlin | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}</ref> McLaughlin made his senior debut on 2 July 2021, in a 2–0 win over [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] at the [[Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium]], scoring his side's first goal in the 42nd minute of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-citys-long-wait-for-home-win-over-as-evan-mclaughlin-scores-debut-goal-against-waterford-3295281|title=Derry City's long wait for home win over as Evan McLaughlin scores debut goal against Waterford|date=July 2, 2021|website=Derry Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/higgins-hails-derry-debutante-evan-mclaughlin-i-dont-care-about-size-or-age-he-caught-my-eye-from-the-word-go-3295318|title=Higgins hails Derry debutante Evan McLaughlin: 'I don't care about size or age, he caught my eye from the word go'|date=July 3, 2021|website=Derry Journal}}</ref> On 24 July 2021, McLaughlin scored the decisive penalty in his sides penalty shootout victory away to [[Drogheda United F.C.|Drogheda United]] in the [[FAI Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/evan-mclaughlin-showed-zero-hesitation-when-asked-to-take-fifth-penalty-in-derry-city-fai-cup-win-3322285|title=Evan McLaughlin showed 'zero hesitation' when asked to take fifth penalty in Derry City FAI Cup win|date=July 24, 2021|website=Derry Journal}}</ref> On 14 July 2022, he made his first European appearance of his career, coming off the bench in a 2–0 defeat away to [[Latvia|Latvian]] side [[Riga FC|Riga]] in the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62168592|title=Europa Conference League: Derry City exit from Europe after 2-0 Riga defeat|date=July 14, 2022|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref>
====Coleraine loan==== On 27 July 2022, McLaughlin signed a new contract with [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] and on the same day joined [[NIFL Premiership]] club [[Coleraine F.C.|Coleraine]] until January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derrycityfc.net/2022/07/evan-mclaughlin-extension-loan-move/|title=Evan McLaughlin Extension & Loan Move|date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> On 13 August 2022, he made his debut for the club and scored a brace in a 3–1 win at home to [[Cliftonville F.C.|Cliftonville]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/coleraine-manager-oran-kearney-delighted-for-new-boy-evan-mclaughlin-3811667|title=Derry City loanee Evan McLaughlin gets off to blistering start at Coleraine|date=August 18, 2022|website=Derry Journal}}</ref>
====Return from loan==== On 2 January 2023, [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] recalled him early from his loan spell after impressing during his time with [[Coleraine F.C.|Coleraine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city-recall-evan-mclaughlin-from-coleraine-loan-spell-3971601|title=Derry City recall Evan McLaughlin from Coleraine loan spell|date=January 2, 2023|website=Derry Journal}}</ref> McLaughlin made just 3 appearances in the [[2023 League of Ireland Premier Division|2023 season]] and announced at the end of the season that he would be leaving the club in search of more regular first team football, with manager [[Ruaidhrí Higgins]] stating that he would not be surprised to see McLaughlin back at the club in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/ruaidhri-higgins-says-he-wouldnt-be-surprised-to-see-evan-mclaughlin-return-to-derry-city-in-future-4412971|title="Evan's very, very clear that he wants to go and pursue first team football."|date=November 16, 2023|website=Derry Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/derry-sport/1347952/midfielder-evan-mclaughlin-announces-departure-from-derry-city.html|title=Midfielder Evan McLaughlin announces departure from Derry City|first=Gary|last=Ferry|date=November 14, 2023|website=www.derrynow.com}}</ref>
===Cork City=== On 15 December 2023, McLaughlin signed for recently relegated [[League of Ireland First Division]] club [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.corkcityfc.ie/blogs/news/evan-mclaughlin-signs-for-city|title=Evan McLaughlin Signs for City!|website=Cork City FC Shop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41291113.html|title=Derry's Evan McLaughlin completes move to Cork City|first=Shane|last=Donovan|date=December 15, 2023|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref> On 9 March 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win away to [[Longford Town F.C.|Longford Town]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41349520.html|title=Cork City beat Longford thanks to goals from Jack Doherty and Evan McLaughlin|date=March 9, 2024|website=echo live}}</ref> He scored 5 goals in a total of 36 appearances in all competitions<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/stats/11128335/evan_mclaughlin/?results=2024#detailed|title=Evan McLaughlin | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}</ref> as his side won the [[2024 League of Ireland First Division]] title to earn promotion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/cork-city-seal-promotion-back-to-premier-division-with-victory-at-ucd/a1182648885.html|title=Cork City seal promotion back to Premier Division with victory at UCD|date=September 7, 2024|website=Irish Independent}}</ref> In November 2024, he was named in the [[PFAI Team of the Year#2024|PFAI First Division Team of the Year]] as voted by his fellow professionals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41515109.html|title=Five Cork City players included in First Division Team of the Year|date=November 12, 2024|website=echo live}}</ref> On 6 January 2025, McLaughlin signed a new contract with the club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.corkcityfc.ie/blogs/news/new-contract-for-evan-mclaughlin|title=New Contract for Evan McLaughlin!|website=Cork City FC Shop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41548996.html|title=Midfielder Evan McLaughlin signs a new contract ahead of the 2025 season with Cork City|date=January 8, 2025|website=echo live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/35206/evan-mclaughlin-re-signs-for-cork-city-for-2025-season/|title=Evan McLaughlin re-signs for Cork City for 2025 season|first=Patrick|last=O'Connor|website=extratime.com}}</ref> After signing his new deal, he revealed that he delayed his decision on the contract due to the 6 and a half hour commute to his hometown of [[Derry (city)|Derry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41565178.html|title=Evan McLaughlin: 'Cork City doesn't belong in the First Division'|first=John|last=Fallon|date=January 31, 2025|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref> On 21 April 2025, he scored his first goal of the season with an 89th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot against [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] at [[Turners Cross (stadium)|Turners Cross]], before his side went on to win the game minutes later in injury time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41617795.html|title=Cork City grab two late goals in dramatic win over Waterford at Turner's Cross|date=April 21, 2025|website=echo live}}</ref> On 3 October 2025, McLaughlin scored twice in the [[2025 FAI Cup|FAI Cup Semi Final]] win over [[St Patrick's Athletic F.C.|St Patrick's Athletic]] to help earn his side a place in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/cork-stun-st-pats-as-seani-maguire-and-evan-mclaughlin-send-rampant-rebels-into-fai-cup-final/a1667212136.html|title=Cork stun St Pat's as Seani Maguire and Evan McLaughlin send rampant Rebels into FAI Cup final|date=October 3, 2025|website=Irish Independent}}</ref> On 9 November 2025, he was part of the starting 11 in the [[2025 FAI Cup final]] as his side were beaten 2–0 by [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers]] at the [[Aviva Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1109/1542961-fai-cup-final-shamrock-rovers-v-cork-city-updates/|title=FAI Cup final: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Cork City recap|first=Anthony|last=Pyne|date=November 9, 2025|via=www.rte.ie}}</ref> He scored 7 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions in 2025, as the club were relegated back to the [[League of Ireland First Division]] by finishing bottom of the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41723517.html|title=Lacklustre Cork City relegated after defeat to Shelbourne|first=Stephen|last=Barry|date=13 October 2025|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref>
===Waterford=== On 26 December 2025, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed for [[League of Ireland Premier Division]] club [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] for an undisclosed fee.<ref>https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/12/26/welcome-to-waterford-evan-mclaughlin/</ref>
==International career== McLaughlin received his first international call up for the [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|Republic of Ireland U21]] side in October 2021 for their game against [[Montenegro national under-21 football team|Montenegro U21]], but was not capped.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/u21-squad-announced-for-luxembourg-and-montenegro/|title=U21 squad announced for Luxembourg and Montenegro|website=www.fai.ie}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played on 9 November 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/evan-mclaughlin/736281/|title=Republic of Ireland - E. McLaughlin - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes [[FAI Cup]]}} !colspan=2|[[League Cup]]{{efn|Includes [[Northern Ireland Football League Cup]]}} !colspan=2|[[UEFA|Europe]] !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|[[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] |[[2020 League of Ireland Premier Division|2020]] |rowspan="4"|[[League of Ireland Premier Division|LOI Premier Division]] |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |[[2021 League of Ireland Premier Division|2021]] |15||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||1 |- |[[2022 League of Ireland Premier Division|2022]] |12||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]]|name=statsUECL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |[[2023 League of Ireland Premier Division|2023]] |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0{{efn|name=statsUECL}}||0||0{{efn|Appearance in the [[President of Ireland's Cup]]}}||0||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !30!!1!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0!!0!!0!!33!!1 |- |[[Coleraine F.C.|Coleraine]] (loan) |[[2022–23 NIFL Premiership|2022–23]] |[[NIFL Premiership]] |20||3||colspan="2"|—||4||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||24||6 |- |rowspan="3"|[[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]] |[[2024 League of Ireland First Division|2024]] |[[League of Ireland First Division|LOI First Division]] |34||5||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the [[Munster Senior Cup (association football)|Munster Senior Cup]]|name=statsMSC}}||0||36||5 |- |[[2025 League of Ireland Premier Division|2025]] |[[League of Ireland Premier Division|LOI Premier Division]] |29||3||5||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0{{efn|name=statsMSC}}||0||34||7 |- !colspan="2"|Total !63!!8!!7!!4!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!70!!13 |- |[[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] |[[2026 League of Ireland Premier Division|2026]] |[[League of Ireland Premier Division|LOI Premier Division]] |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|–||0{{efn|statsMSC}}||0||0||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career Total !113!!12!!9!!4!!4!!3!!1!!0!!0!!0!!127!!19 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== ===Club=== ;Cork City *[[League of Ireland First Division]] (1): [[2024 League of Ireland First Division|2024]]
===Individual=== *[[PFAI Team of the Year|PFAI First Division Team of the Year]] (1): [[PFAI Team of the Year#2024|2024]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.extratime.com/player/11128335/evan_mclaughlin/ Evan McLaughlin Extratime.com Profile]
{{Waterford F.C. squad}} {{2024 PFAI League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McLaughlin, Evan}} [[Category:2002 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers]] [[Category:Derry City F.C. players]] [[Category:Coleraine F.C. players]] [[Category:Cork City F.C. players]] [[Category:Waterford F.C. players]] [[Category:League of Ireland players]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Association footballers from Derry (city)]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers]] [[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]] [[Category:People from Derry (city)]]