Kyle Lafferty

{{short description|Northern Irish footballer}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Kyle Lafferty | image = Kyle Lafferty 2012.jpg | image_size = | caption = Lafferty playing for Northern Ireland in 2012 | fullname = Kyle Joseph George Lafferty<ref name=TFF/> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|9|16|df=y}}<ref name=IFAprofile>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2057/senior/kyle-lafferty-forward/ |title=Profile of Kyle Lafferty |publisher=Irish Football Association |access-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319221847/http://irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2057/senior/kyle-lafferty-forward |archive-date=19 March 2016 }}</ref> | birth_place = Enniskillen, Northern Ireland<ref name=IFAprofile/> | height = {{height|ft=6|in=4}}<ref name=IFAprofile/> | position = Forward | currentclub = Johnstone Burgh | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2004–2005 | youthclubs1 = Burnley | years1 = 2005–2008 | clubs1 = Burnley | caps1 = 83 | goals1 = 10 | years2 = 2006 | clubs2 = → Darlington (loan) | caps2 = 9 | goals2 = 3 | years3 = 2008–2012 | clubs3 = Rangers | caps3 = 104 | goals3 = 31 | years4 = 2012–2013 | clubs4 = Sion | caps4 = 25 | goals4 = 5 | years5 = 2013–2014 | clubs5 = Palermo | caps5 = 34 | goals5 = 11 | years6 = 2014–2017 | clubs6 = Norwich City | caps6 = 31 | goals6 = 2 | years7 = 2015 | clubs7 = → Çaykur Rizespor (loan) | caps7 = 14 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2016 | clubs8 = → Birmingham City (loan) | caps8 = 6 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2017–2018 | clubs9 = Heart of Midlothian | caps9 = 37 | goals9 = 13 | years10 = 2018–2019 | clubs10 = Rangers | caps10 = 21 | goals10 = 4 | years11 = 2019 | clubs11 = Sarpsborg 08 | caps11 = 9 | goals11 = 1 | years12 = 2020 | clubs12 = Sunderland | caps12 = 11 | goals12 = 2 | years13 = 2020 | clubs13 = Reggina | caps13 = 9 | goals13 = 1 | years14 = 2021 | clubs14 = Kilmarnock | caps14 = 9 | goals14 = 8 <!--ONLY LEAGUE CAPS/GOALS--> | years15 = 2021 | clubs15 = Anorthosis Famagusta | caps15 = 5 | goals15 = 0 | years16 = 2022–2023 | clubs16 = Kilmarnock | caps16 = 26 | goals16 = 9 | years17 = 2023 | clubs17 = Linfield | caps17 = 8 | goals17 = 0 | years18 = 2023– | clubs18 = Johnstone Burgh | caps18 = 43 | goals18 = 14 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U17 | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = | nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U19 | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2006 | nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U21 | nationalcaps3 = 2 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2006–2022 | nationalteam4 = Northern Ireland | nationalcaps4 = 89 | nationalgoals4 = 20 | club-update = 15:38, 29 July 2023 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 22:50, 16 February 2022 (UTC) }}

'''Kyle Joseph George Lafferty''' (born 16 September 1987) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{Scottish football updater|Johnston}} side Johnstone Burgh.

Lafferty began his professional career with English side Burnley, where he made 89 appearances. He signed for Rangers in 2008 for £3.25&nbsp;million and won three Scottish Premier League titles, the Scottish Cup once and the Scottish League Cup twice with the club. In 2012 Lafferty chose not to transfer over to the new company, moving to Switzerland's FC Sion. He signed for Serie B club Palermo in 2013 and led them to promotion as champions in his only season before joining Norwich City. He spent time on loan with Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor and back in England with Birmingham City. After just over a year back in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian, Lafferty re-signed for Rangers in August 2018, and he has since had short spells with Sarpsborg 08, Sunderland, Reggina, Kilmarnock and Anorthosis Famagusta. In January 2022, he returned to Kilmarnock, joining the club for the second time. He would then return to his native Northern Ireland to play for Linfield for a short while, before dropping down to the Scottish seventh tier to play for Johnstone Burgh.

He made his first international appearance for Northern Ireland in 2006 and has more than 80 caps, representing the team at UEFA Euro 2016. With 20 goals he is the team's second highest scorer of all time, behind former strike partner David Healy on 36.

==Club career==

===Burnley=== In 2004, Lafferty signed a youth team apprenticeship with Championship club Burnley. 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 on 6 August 2005, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Garreth O'Connor.<ref name=sb0506/>

In January 2006, Lafferty joined Darlington on loan. He went on to make nine appearances and net three goals for the club, including a scoring debut against Notts County on 7 January.<ref name=sb0506/> He returned to Burnley in February 2007.

He scored his first senior goal for Burnley against Luton Town, netting the equaliser for a 1–1 draw on 30 April 2006.<ref name=sb0506/> Lafferty played 89 times and scored 10 goals during his time at Burnley.

===Rangers=== On 16 June 2008, Burnley accepted a bid from Rangers of £3&nbsp;million plus Alan Gow but talks with Gow over his move to Turf Moor broke down. Lafferty moved to Rangers on 19 June after the transfer offer was readjusted to write Gow out of the deal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/7451140.stm |title=Lafferty completes Rangers move |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 June 2008 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> He made his Rangers debut as an 89th-minute substitute during a UEFA Champions League qualifier on 5 August 2008 against FBK Kaunas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7541840.stm |title=FBK Kaunas 2–1 Rangers |first=Keir |last=Murray |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> His first goal came in his second appearance, in a Scottish Premier League match against Heart of Midlothian on 16 August 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7561735.stm |title=Rangers 2–0 Hearts |first=Andy |last=Campbell |publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2008 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

On 16 May 2009, during the penultimate league match of the 2008–09 season at home to Aberdeen, Lafferty was involved in an off-the-ball altercation with Aberdeen player Charlie Mulgrew which ended with Lafferty reacting as if he had been headbutted. The referee, Stuart Dougal, sent Mulgrew off for violent conduct; however, television pictures showed little contact between the two players. Rangers went on to win the match 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8051174.stm |title=Rangers 2–1 Aberdeen |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Upon reviewing the incident Rangers manager Walter Smith expressed his disappointment at Lafferty's conduct.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8053796.stm |title=Smith upset by red card decisions |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Two days later it was reported that Rangers had fined Lafferty for his reactions in relation to the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8054856.stm |title=Rangers fine play-acting Lafferty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> The case was also referred to the Scottish Football Association's disciplinary committee, who rescinded Mulgrew's red card and gave Lafferty a two-match ban for simulation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8190130.stm |title=Old Firm pair handed suspensions |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2009 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> thumb|Lafferty with Rangers in November 2010 On 25 April 2010, Lafferty scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road, securing the league title for Rangers with three matches left to play. On 22 August, Lafferty was sent off, along with opponent Kevin McBride, in a match at the same venue.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Kyle-Lafferty-told-to-curb.6488464.jp |title=Kyle Lafferty told to curb temper after striker sees red in Rangers victory |first=Alan |last=Pattullo |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> On 25 September, Lafferty scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 7–2 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the League Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9013885.stm |title=Rangers 7–2 Dunfermline |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2010 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Lafferty scored in Rangers' 4–0 win over Dundee United in April 2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/spl-dundee-united-0-rangers-1100800 |title=Dundee United 0–4 Rangers |last=Duncan |first=Colin |newspaper=Daily Record |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> before missing an opportunity in the final Old Firm game of the 2010–11 season at Ibrox in a 0–0 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9464454.stm |title=Rangers 0–0 St Mirren |first=Clive |last=Lindsay |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Lafferty then went on to score in three consecutive games in the title run in against Motherwell,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9470831.stm |title=Motherwell 0–5 Rangers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2011 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Hearts<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9476492.stm |title=Rangers 4–0 Hearts |first=Keir |last=Murray |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2011 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> and Dundee United.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9480346.stm |title=Rangers 2–0 Dundee Utd |first=Clive |last=Lindsay |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2011|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Lafferty then scored a hat-trick in the final SPL game of the season as Rangers beat Kilmarnock 5–1 and won their third consecutive league title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm |title=Kilmarnock 1–5 Rangers |first=Colin |last=Moffat |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

On 18 September 2011, Lafferty scored his first Old Firm goal in a 4–2 win against Celtic. On 17 December, Lafferty scored an 83rd-minute winner for Rangers against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the game ending 2–1. On 24 April 2012, Ally McCoist announced that Lafferty had been banned for two weeks following a training ground bust up.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

In June 2012, Lafferty lodged an objection against his contract being transferred from Rangers to the new company set up by Charles Green.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18603617 |title=Rangers: Davis, McGregor, Lafferty and Ness eye exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 June 2012 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> PFA Scotland had previously commented that players were entitled to become free agents if they objected to the transfer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18446597 |title=Rangers: Players free not to join 'newco' says law expert |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=24 June 2012}}</ref> Lafferty later raised a constructive dismissal claim against Rangers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/205234-sixty-seven-players-take-legal-action-over-rangers-contract-transfer/ |title=Sixty-seven players 'in legal action' over Rangers contract transfer |publisher=STV Sport |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=24 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214204130/http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/205234-sixty-seven-players-take-legal-action-over-rangers-contract-transfer/ |archive-date=14 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rangersshareoffer.com/Prospectus.pdf |title=Rangers International Football Club plc |website=RangersShareOffer.com |date=8 December 2012}} {{dead link|date=March 2016}}</ref>

===Sion=== Lafferty signed a three-year contract with Swiss Super League club FC Sion on 30 June 2012, linking up with former Rangers player and Sion player-coach Gennaro Gattuso.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fc-sion.ch/index.php?r=site/text&id=326&culture=fr |title=Le buteur des Rangers Kyle Lafferty rejoint le FC Sion |language=fr |trans-title=Rangers goalscorer Kyle Lafferty joins FC Sion |publisher=FC Sion |date=30 June 2012 |access-date=30 June 2012 |archive-date=9 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809023957/http://www.fc-sion.ch/index.php?r=site%2Ftext |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sion sign Lafferty from Rangers |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18658805 |access-date=2023-08-17}}</ref> He was unable to play in the league match against Grasshoppers on 15 July because the Scottish Football Association refused to provide clearance for the transfer, having received an objection from Rangers' owner Charles Green.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18850185 |title=Rangers: SFA urged to end uncertainty over ex-Ibrox players |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2012 |access-date=15 July 2012}}</ref> On 20 July, Lafferty received provisional international clearance from FIFA which allowed him to play while arbitration over his move from Rangers continued.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} On 22 July 2012, Lafferty made his debut for Sion, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Servette. He scored his first goal a week later in a 3–0 win over Luzern.

===Palermo=== On 26 June 2013, Lafferty joined Serie B club Palermo on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He said "Palermo tried to sign me in January but unfortunately we couldn't close the deal. Now I can't wait to get started. When I was younger I watched a lot of Italian football and I know there's a very passionate fanbase here at Palermo."<ref>{{cite news |title=Lafferty completes move to Palermo |url=http://www.u.tv/sport/Lafferty-completes-move-to-Palermo/ebdce0a3-7f83-4801-b900-14e9026be2b1 |publisher=UTV |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629013203/http://www.u.tv/Sport/Lafferty-completes-move-to-Palermo/ebdce0a3-7f83-4801-b900-14e9026be2b1 |archive-date=29 June 2013}}</ref>

He scored 11 goals in 34 matches to help the club ascend to Serie A as champions in his only season, and won the Fans Player of the Season award. However, club president Maurizio Zamparini called him an "out-of-control womaniser" and claimed that this lifestyle resulted in him being sold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lafferty an 'out-of-control womaniser' |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1917379/palermo-claim-kyle-lafferty-is-out-of-control-womaniser-after-move-to-norwich |publisher=ESPN FC |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=28 June 2014}}</ref>

===Norwich City=== On 27 June 2014, Lafferty signed a three-year contract with Norwich City of the Football League Championship with an option for an extra year. The transfer fee was undisclosed and the transfer would be effective from 1 July. He said "Norwich is a team that wants to get promoted back to the Premier League at the first opportunity, so I'm excited to come here and start playing football for a team like this."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28062950 |title=Norwich City sign Kyle Lafferty from Palermo |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> He was given squad number 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/norwich-city-confirm-squad-numbers-1710482.aspx |title=Norwich City Squad list confirmed for 2014–15 Championship season |publisher=Norwich City F.C. |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=24 March 2016 |archive-date=4 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004063116/http://www.canaries.co.uk//news/article/norwich-city-confirm-squad-numbers-1710482.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Lafferty made his debut for the team on 10 August, as they began the season with a 1–0 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Steven Whittaker for the last 14 minutes of the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wolves 1–0 Norwich |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28646617 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Six days later he made his first start in his first game at Carrow Road, lasting 67 minutes of a 3–0 win over Watford before being replaced by Elliott Bennett.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28716614 |title=Norwich 3–0 Watford |last=Osborne |first= Chris |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2014 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> In 20 games{{snd}}18 of those in the league{{snd}}he only scored once, in a 3–2 home win against Cardiff City on 17 January 2015.<ref name=sb1415/>

On 2 February 2015, Lafferty was loaned to Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor for the remainder of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty joins Turkish side Caykur Rizespor on loan |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_joins_turkish_side_caykur_rizespor_on_loan_1_3940826 |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |date=2 February 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104213/http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_joins_turkish_side_caykur_rizespor_on_loan_1_3940826 |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> He scored two goals in 14 league games for the Turkish side.<ref name=Soccerway/>

Norwich had been promoted to the Premier League during Lafferty's absence. He scored his first goal of the 2015–16 season in a 3–0 League Cup victory against West Bromwich Albion,<ref name=sb1516/> but found regular games hard to come by. In November 2015, Leeds United head coach Steve Evans revealed he had inquired about the availability of Lafferty on loan.<ref>{{cite news |title='Kyle Lafferty needs to be playing,' says Leeds boss Steve Evans as he eyes loan move for ex-Rangers star |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/kyle-lafferty-needs-playing-says-6819827 |newspaper=Daily Record |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref> However, Lafferty remained with Norwich until 24 March 2016, when he joined Championship club Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/kyle-lafferty-norwich-city-birmingham-city-3025206.aspx |title=Kyle Lafferty completes Birmingham City loan switch |publisher=Norwich City F.C. |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=24 March 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414064748/http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/kyle-lafferty-norwich-city-birmingham-city-3025206.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He returned from international duty with a groin injury,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/updated_norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_in_contention_for_birmingham_debut_after_blues_boss_dismisses_season_ending_injury_talk_1_4476828 |title=Updated: Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty in contention for Birmingham debut after Blues' boss dismisses season-ending injury talk |first=Mark |last=Armstrong |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |location=Norwich |date=31 March 2016 |access-date=7 April 2016 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403230324/http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/updated_norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_in_contention_for_birmingham_debut_after_blues_boss_dismisses_season_ending_injury_talk_1_4476828 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but was fit to start Birmingham's match against Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 April. He opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a tap-in following a goalkeeping error, but Brighton went on to win 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-brighton/339999 |title=Birmingham City 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Lewis Dunk keeps Seagulls' play-off hopes alive |agency=PA Sport |publisher=Sky Sports |date=5 April 2016 |access-date=7 April 2016}}</ref> He made five more league appearances, without scoring, in what remained of the season.<ref name=sb1516/>

In May 2017, it was announced that Lafferty would be released when his contract expired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/norwich-city-contracts-3701983.aspx |title=Seven senior players set to leave |publisher=Norwich City F.C. |date=2 May 2017 |access-date=17 May 2017 |archive-date=2 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502141110/http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/norwich-city-contracts-3701983.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Hearts=== On 28 June 2017, Lafferty joined Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership on a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40435966|title=Kyle Lafferty: Hearts sign Northern Ireland forward on two-year deal|date=28 June 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref> He made his debut on 18 July in the group stage of the Scottish League Cup, scoring the only goal away to Elgin City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kyle Lafferty scores on Hearts debut in win over Elgin City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40650020 |access-date=11 August 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2017}}</ref> Two days later, he added two more goals in a 3–0 win over East Fife at Tynecastle, and on 25 July he made it four goals in three games with one in a 2–1 loss at Peterhead;<ref>{{cite news |title=Hearts defeat at Peterhead was wake-up call says Kyle Lafferty |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/peterhead/hearts-defeat-at-peterhead-was-wake-up-call-says-kyle-lafferty-1-4515021 |access-date=11 August 2018 |work=The Scotsman |date=27 July 2017}}</ref> Hearts did not reach the knockout stage.

In the league season, Lafferty scored 12 times as Hearts finished 6th; this made him the Premiership's fourth highest scorer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boyd is Premiership top scorer |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/boyd-is-premiership-top-scorer |access-date=11 August 2018 |publisher=SPFL |date=15 May 2018}}</ref> One of these was on 17 December 2017 in a 4–0 win over defending champions Celtic, ending their 69-match unbeaten run in domestic matches.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Brian |title=Heart of Midlothian 4–0 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42297312 |access-date=11 August 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2017}}</ref> Thirteen days later, he was sent off at the end of a goalless draw at Aberdeen for a challenge on Graeme Shinnie.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davie |first1=Scott |title=Aberdeen 0–0 Heart of Midlothian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42463671 |access-date=11 August 2018 |date=30 December 2017}}</ref>

===Return to Rangers=== On 22 August 2018, Lafferty returned to Rangers for a second spell on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacRae |first1=Daryn |title=Rangers complete move for Hearts forward Kyle Lafferty |url=https://stv.tv/sport/football/1428207-rangers-complete-move-for-hearts-forward-kyle-lafferty/ |access-date=22 August 2018 |publisher=STV News |date=22 August 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822213818/https://stv.tv/sport/football/1428207-rangers-complete-move-for-hearts-forward-kyle-lafferty/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45271231 |title=Kyle Lafferty: Rangers recruit Hearts striker for second Ibrox spell |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2018 |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> On his return to Rangers, Lafferty scored two goals in his league debut against Motherwell, a dramatic 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/rangers/kyle-lafferty-can-score-plenty-of-goals-for-rangers-this-season-says-gerrard-37254927.html |title=Kyle Lafferty can score plenty of goals for Rangers this season, says Gerrard |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=27 August 2018 |access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref> Lafferty left Rangers after having his contract terminated by mutual consent on 24 July 2019.<ref>{{ cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49101202 | title=Kyle Lafferty: Northern Ireland striker leaves Rangers | publisher=BBC Sport | date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>

===Sarpsborg 08=== On 27 August 2019, Lafferty signed for Norwegian Eliteserien club Sarpsborg 08 on a contract until the end of the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=KYLE LAFFERTY KLAR FOR SARPSBORG 08 |url=https://www.sarpsborg08.no/nyheter/kyle-lafferty-klar-for-sarpsborg-08 |publisher=Sarpsborg 08 FF |access-date=9 October 2019 |language=no |date=27 August 2019}}</ref>

===Sunderland=== Lafferty signed a short-term contract with Sunderland on 10 January 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lafferty signs short-term deal |url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/january/lafferty-signs-short-term-deal |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=10 January 2020 |date=10 January 2020}}</ref> He scored twice from 11 League One appearances before leaving the club when his contract expired.<ref name=sb1920/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53040524 |title=Kyle Lafferty: Northern Ireland striker leaves Sunderland as short-term deal ends |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2020 |access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref>

===Reggina=== In July 2020, Lafferty moved to Italy to sign for Reggina.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53529058 |title=Kyle Lafferty: Northern Ireland striker completes move to Serie B club Reggina |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2020 |access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref> He scored once in nine Serie B matches and played twice in the Coppa Italia before being released by mutual consent in January 2021.<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55632885 |title=Kyle Lafferty: Northern Ireland striker leaves Serie B side Reggina after six months |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2021 |access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref>

===Kilmarnock=== Lafferty returned to Scottish football in February 2021, signing a short-term contract with Kilmarnock.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/kyle-lafferty-becomes-tommy-wrights-first-kilmarnock-signing?top |title=Kyle Lafferty becomes Tommy Wright's first Kilmarnock signing |first=Andy |last=Coyle |website=STV Sport |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> He had an immediate impact with Kilmarnock, scoring 12 goals in the space of eight games.<ref name = goals>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56843689 |title=Kilmarnock: Is Kyle Lafferty the Scottish Premiership signing of the season? |first=Thomas |last=Duncan |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2021 |accessdate=22 April 2021}}</ref> This included a hat-trick in a 3–0 win against Dundee United on 21 April that lifted the club out of the relegation places.<ref name = goals/> Kilmarnock eventually finished 11th and were relegated after they lost a play-off with Dundee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57248962 |title=Kilmarnock: Kyle Lafferty offered deal as 14 players leave club |website=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2021 |accessdate=6 June 2021}}</ref> Lafferty left Kilmarnock at the end of his contract, having scored 13 goals in as many appearances for the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57375000 |title=Kyle Lafferty: Kilmarnock say forward wanted wages 'four times higher' |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2021 |accessdate=6 June 2021}}</ref>

=== Anorthosis Famagusta === Lafferty then signed a season-long deal with Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 June 2021|title=Kατ΄ αρχήν συμφωνία με Kyle Lafferty|url=https://anorthosisfc.com.cy/2021/06/kat-archin-symfonia-me-kyle-lafferty/}}</ref> Lafferty agreed to mutually terminate his contract in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-30|title=Λύση συνεργασίας με Κάιλ Λάφερτι|url=https://anorthosisfc.com.cy/2021/12/lysi-synergasias-me-kail-laferti/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Ανόρθωσις Αμμοχώστου Ποδόσφαιρο|language=el}}</ref>

=== Kilmarnock return === On 21 January 2022, Lafferty returned to Kilmarnock, signing a deal until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-21|title=Kyle Lafferty secures Kilmarnock return|url=https://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/news/kyle-lafferty-secures-kilmarnock-return/|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Kilmarnock FC|language=en}}</ref> This contract was subsequently extended until the summer of 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/news/kyle-lafferty-extends-killie-contract-until-2023/ | title=Kyle Lafferty extends Killie contract until 2023 | date=12 May 2022 }}</ref>

=== Linfield === On 8 February 2023, Lafferty signed a short-term deal with NIFL Premiership club Linfield until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Gareth |date=8 February 2023 |title=Linfield confirm signing of Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/linfield-announce-signing-of-northern-ireland-international-kyle-lafferty-4019485 |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> He would leave at the end of the season following a disappointing end to the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pilcher |first=Ross |date=2023-05-02 |title=Kyle Lafferty's Linfield failure explained after major transfer flop |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kyle-laffertys-linfield-failure-explained-29865512 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref>

=== Johnstone Burgh === On 12 July 2023, Lafferty joined Scottish seventh tier club Johnstone Burgh on a two-year deal, joining ex-Rangers and Norwich City teammate Graham Dorrans at the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyle Lafferty: Former Rangers and Kilmarnock striker joins seventh-tier side Johnstone Burgh |url=https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12919864/kyle-lafferty-former-rangers-and-kilmarnock-striker-joins-seventh-tier-side-johnstone-burgh |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=REVEALED: NORWICH CITY'S 2015-16 SQUAD NUMBERS|url=https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/revealed-norwich-citys-2015-16-squad-numbers |access-date=7 October 2024 |website=Norwich City Football Club |language=en}}</ref> After scoring twice on his debut, he suffered a serious knee injury in his second match, keeping him out of action until 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/kyle-lafferty-ruled-out-until-31341820|title=Kyle Lafferty ruled out until 2024 as Johnstone Burgh striker suffers injury 'setback'|work=Daily Record|date=2 November 2023|accessdate=1 April 2024}}</ref>

On 1 June 2025, Lafferty scored the winning penalty against Tranent which won Burgh their first Scottish Junior Cup since 1968.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-01 |title=Penalty shootout heartache denies Tranent in Scottish Junior Cup |url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/25206264.tranent-lose-penalties-johnstone-burgh-scottish-junior-cup/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=East Lothian Courier |language=en}}</ref>

==International career== In early 2006, Lafferty represented Northern Ireland under-19s at the Milk Cup. He impressed during the tournament, scoring in his first game against Paraguay, but Northern Ireland lost the match 3–1. Later in 2006, he received his first senior Northern Ireland call-up on a post-season trip to the United States to play friendly games against Romania and Uruguay. Lafferty scored his first Northern Ireland goal in an away friendly against Finland the following year. He featured predominantly as the second striker alongside David Healy 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. He then secured a 1–1 draw away to Sweden, scoring Northern Ireland's equaliser in the second half.

On 26 March 2008, he scored twice in an international match for the first time, in a friendly against Georgia which Northern Ireland won 4–1.

Lafferty scored in all of Northern Ireland's first three matches in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, against Hungary, the Faroe Islands and Greece, the first time that the nation won the first three matches of any qualification campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29506546 |title=Greece 0–1 N Ireland |last=Petrie |first=Richard |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2014 |access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> He added a brace on 29 March 2015 in a 2–1 home win over Finland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32006328 |title=Northern Ireland 2–1 Finland |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

On 4 September, Lafferty scored once for Northern Ireland in a 3–1 win against the Faroe Islands. The result put Northern Ireland at the top of Group F and on the brink of qualifying for their first European Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34063024 |title=Faroe Islands 1–3 Northern Ireland |first=Lyle |last=Jackson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 September 2015 |access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> In the following game, against Hungary three days later, he scored a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1–1 draw to keep Northern Ireland top of their group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34063128 |title=Northern Ireland 1–1 Hungary |first=Lyle |last=Jackson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> Lafferty ended the qualifying phase with seven goals, which made him Northern Ireland's top scorer as the team qualified as group winners.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12019/10025964/watch-lafferty-laughter |title=Kyle Lafferty jokes with Sky Sports reporter after Northern Ireland qualify |publisher=Sky Sports |date=12 October 2015 |access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> On 27 May 2016, Lafferty marked his 50th international appearance with a goal in a 3–0 win over Belarus in a friendly at Windsor Park, Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/northern-ireland-3-belarus-0-lafferty-marks-50th-cap-goal#:bw2j62APeRzWLA|title=Northern Ireland 3 Belarus 0: Lafferty marks 50th cap with goal|date=27 May 2016}}</ref>

After Lafferty withdrew from the Northern Ireland squad for two UEFA Nations League matches in October 2018, the Irish Football Association invoked a FIFA rule to prevent him from playing for Rangers in their next league game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45892706 |title=Kyle Laffery: Irish FA blocks striker from playing for Rangers against Hamilton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life== Lafferty was the victim of multiple counts of vandalism while at Rangers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/rangers-star-lafferty-sickened-by-sectarian-attack-28686100.html |title=Rangers star Lafferty sickened by sectarian attack |first=Stuart |last=McKinley |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|location=Belfast|date=29 November 2011|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>

He married former Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh at St Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, in June 2012. The couple had a son, born in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/06/02/rangers-star-kyle-lafferty-marries-stunning-ex-miss-scotland-86908-23882786/ |title=Rangers star Kyle Lafferty marries stunning ex-Miss Scotland |first=David |last=Taylor |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=2 June 2012 |access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> They later divorced. Lafferty married model and former Miss Scotland contestant Vanessa Chung at Gleneagles Hotel in May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-rangers-star-kyle-lafferty-8040411 |title=Former Rangers star Kyle Lafferty marries Scottish model Vanessa Chung in lavish wedding ceremony |first=Samantha |last=Croal |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=24 May 2016 |access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> The couple had their first born daughter in 2018 and another daughter in 2020.

In August 2016, Lafferty accepted a misconduct charge from the Football Association in relation to football betting, and was fined £23,000.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_charged_with_misconduct_in_relation_to_betting_1_4637410 |title=Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty charged with misconduct in relation to betting |last=Hannant |first=David |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |location=Norwich |date=29 July 2016 |access-date=30 July 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011034239/http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_charged_with_misconduct_in_relation_to_betting_1_4637410 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/09/kyle-lafferty-norwich-city-betting-charge-fa|title=Norwich's Kyle Lafferty fined £23,000 after accepting betting charge|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2016-09-08|access-date=2017-06-20}}</ref>

In September 2022, Kilmarnock launched an investigation after video evidence emerged of Lafferty apparently making a sectarian remark in a nightclub. He subsequently withdrew from the Northern Ireland squad preparing for two international matches.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63006084 | title=Lafferty out of NI squad amid video remark probe | work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Club statistics=== {{updated|match played 2 August 2024}}

{| 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 !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|Burnley |2005–06<ref name=sb0506/> |Championship |11||1||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||12||1 |- |2006–07<ref name=sb0607>{{soccerbase season|41614|2006|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Championship |35||4||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||37||4 |- |2007–08<ref name=sb0708>{{soccerbase season|41614|2007|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Championship |37||5||1||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||40||5 |- !colspan=2|Total !83||10||2||0||4||0||0||0||89||10 |- |Darlington (loan) |2005–06<ref name=sb0506>{{soccerbase season|41614|2005|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |League Two |9||3||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||9||3 |- |rowspan=5|Rangers |2008–09<ref name=sb0809>{{soccerbase season|41614|2008|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/clubs/50121--rangers/ |title=Rangers FC: History: UEFA Champions League 2008/09 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |25||6||3||2||3||1||1{{efn|name=statsUCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}}||0||32||9 |- |2009–10<ref name=sb0910>{{soccerbase season|41614|2009|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |28||7||5||0||2||0||4{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||39||7 |- |2010–11<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|41614|2010|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |31||11||2||1||3||3||8{{efn|Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, four in UEFA Europa League}}||0||44||15 |- |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|41614|2011|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/clubs/50121--rangers/ |title=Rangers FC: History: UEFA Europa League 2011/12 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |20||7||0||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=statsUEL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}}||0||23||7 |- !colspan=2|Total !104||31||10||3||9||4||15||0||138||38 |- |Sion |2012–13<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/11/11/switzerland/schweizer-pokal/fc-hergiswil/fc-sion/1394516/ |title=Hergiswil vs. Sion 0–3 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Swiss Super League |25||5||3||3||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||28||8 |- |Palermo |2013–14<ref name=Soccerway/> |Serie B |34||11||2||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||36||12 |- |rowspan=4|Norwich City |2014–15<ref name=sb1415>{{soccerbase season|41614|2014|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> |Championship |18||1||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||20||1 |- |2015–16<ref name=sb1516/> |Premier League |1||0||1||0||1||1||colspan=2|—||3||1 |- |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|41614|2016|access-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> |Championship |12||1||2||0||2||1||colspan=2|—||16||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !31||2||4||0||4||2||0||0||39||4 |- |Çaykur Rizespor (loan) |2014–15<ref name=TFF>{{cite web |url=http://www.tff.org.tr/Default.aspx?pageId=526&kisiId=1777768 |title=Kyle Joseph George Lafferty |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig |14||2||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||15||2 |- |Birmingham City (loan) |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{soccerbase season|41614|2015|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> |Championship |6||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||1 |- |rowspan=3|Heart of Midlothian |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{soccerbase season|41614|2017|access-date=24 December 2017}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |35||12||2||3||4||4||colspan=2|—||41||19 |- |2018–19<ref name=sb1819>{{soccerbase season|41614|2018|access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |2||1||0||0||5||0||colspan=2|—||7||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !37||13||2||3||9||4||0||0||48||20 |- |Rangers |2018–19<ref name=spfl1819>{{soccerbase season|41614|2018|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |21||4||0||0||0||0||5{{efn|name=statsUEL}}||1||26||5 |- |Sarpsborg 08 |2019 |Eliteserien |9||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||9||1 |- |Sunderland |2019–20<ref name=sb1920>{{soccerbase season|41614|2019|access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> |League One |11||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||11||2 |- |Reggina |2020–21<ref name=Soccerway/> |Serie B |9||1||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||11||1 |- |Kilmarnock |2020–21<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kyle-lafferty/15913/ |title=K. Lafferty |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |9||8||2||4||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Scottish Premiership play-offs}}||1||13||13 |- |Anorthosis Famagusta |2021–22<ref name=Soccerway/> |Cypriot First Division |5||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Cypriot Super Cup, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League}}||1||11||1 |- |rowspan=3|Kilmarnock |2021–22<ref name=Soccerway/> |Scottish Championship |14||8||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||15||8 |- |2022–23<ref name=Soccerway/> |Scottish Premiership |12||1||1||0||4||2||colspan="2"|—||17||5 |- !colspan=2|Total !26||9||2||0||4||2||0||0||32||13 |- |Linfield |2022–23<ref name=Soccerway/> |NIFL Premiership |8||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||8||0 |- |Johnstone Burgh |2023-24 |West of Scotland League First Division |2||2||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||2||2 |- !colspan=3|Career total !443||107||30||14||30||12||23||3||531||138 |} {{notelist}}

===International=== ====Statistics==== {{updated|match played 12 June 2022}}<ref name=Soccerway/>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=17|Northern Ireland |2006||7||1 |- |2007||7||2 |- |2008||5||3 |- |2009||4||1 |- |2010||5||1 |- |2011||2||0 |- |2012||5||1 |- |2013||1||0 |- |2014||5||3 |- |2015||6||4 |- |2016||12||4 |- |2017||8||0 |- |2018||3||0 |- |2019||5||0 |- |2020||4||0 |- |2021||6||0 |- |2022||4||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!89!!20 |}

====Goals==== :''As of match played 5 September 2021'' :''Northern Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lafferty goal''<ref name=Soccerway/>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition |- !scope=col|No. !scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Cap !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- !scope=row|1 |16 August 2006||Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland||3||{{fb|Finland}}||2–0||2–1||Friendly |- !scope=row|2 |22 August 2007||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||11||{{fb|Liechtenstein}}||3–0||3–1||UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |- !scope=row|3 |17 October 2007||Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden||13||{{fb|Sweden}}||1–1||1–1||UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |- !scope=row|4 |rowspan=2|26 March 2008||rowspan=2|Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||rowspan=2|16||rowspan=2|{{fb|Georgia}}||1–0||rowspan=2|4–1||rowspan=2|Friendly |- !scope=row|5 |3–0 |- !scope=row|6 |15 October 2008||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||18||{{fb|San Marino}}||3–0||4–0||2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |- !scope=row|7 |5 September 2009||Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland||22||{{fb|Poland}}||1–0||1–1||2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |- !scope=row|8 |12 October 2010||Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands||28||{{fb|Faroe Islands}}||1–1||1–1||UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |- !scope=row|9 |15 August 2012||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||31||{{fb|Finland}}||2–0||3–3||Friendly |- !scope=row|10 |7 September 2014||Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary||38||{{fb|Hungary}}||2–1||2–1||UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|11 |11 October 2014||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||39||{{fb|Faroe Islands}}||2–0||2–0||UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|12 |14 October 2014||Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece||40||{{fb|Greece}}||2–0||2–0||UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|13 |rowspan=2|29 March 2015||rowspan=2|Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||rowspan=2|42||rowspan=2|{{fb|Finland}}||1–0||rowspan=2|2–1||rowspan=2|UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|14 |2–0 |- !scope=row|15 |4 September 2015||Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands||44||{{fb|Faroe Islands}}||3–1||3–1||UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|16 |7 September 2015||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||45||{{fb|Hungary}}||1–1||1–1||UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |- !scope=row|17 | 27 May 2016||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||50||{{fb|Belarus}}||1–0||3–0|| Friendly |- !scope=row|18 |rowspan=2|8 October 2016||rowspan=2|Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||rowspan=2|53||rowspan=2|{{fb|San Marino}}||2–0||rowspan=2|4–0||rowspan=2|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |- !scope=row|19 |4–0 |- !scope=row|20 | 11 November 2016||Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||54||{{fb|Azerbaijan}}||1–0||4–0||2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |}

==Honours== '''Rangers''' *Scottish Premier League: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11<ref name="Rangers honours">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/club/rangers/|title=Rangers|publisher=Scottish Football League|date=July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819004021/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/club/rangers/|archive-date=19 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=records>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/team_records.sd?teamid=1372 |title=Ipswich Town all time records |work=Soccerbase |access-date=17 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001145001/http://www.soccerbase.com/team_records.sd?teamid=1372 |archive-date=1 October 2007 }}</ref><ref name="records 2">{{cite book|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12|author1=Rollin, Glenda|author2=Rollin, Jack|publisher=Headline|isbn=978-0755362325|pages=758–759|date=4 August 2011}}</ref> *Scottish Cup: 2008–09<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" /> *Scottish League Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" />

'''Palermo''' *Serie B: 2013–14<ref name=Soccerway/>

'''Kilmarnock''' *Scottish Championship: 2021–22<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClymont |first=Scott |date=22 April 2022 |title=Killie win Championship title and promotion to Premiership |url=https://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/news/killie-win-championship-title-and-promotion-to-premiership/ |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Kilmarnock FC}}</ref>

'''Johnstone Burgh''' *Scottish Junior Cup: 2024–25<ref name=":0" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Soccerbase}} * [https://www.irishfa.com/ifa-international/squads/senior-men/kyle-lafferty Kyle Lafferty profile] Irish FA * [http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2007/01/kyle-lafferty.html NIFG profile] {{Northern Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2016}} {{2021–22 PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafferty, Kyle}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from County Fermanagh Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers Category:Expatriate men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:Burnley F.C. players Category:Darlington F.C. players Category:Rangers F.C. players Category:FC Sion players Category:Palermo FC players Category:Norwich City F.C. players Category:Çaykur Rizespor footballers Category:Birmingham City F.C. players Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players Category:Sarpsborg 08 FF players Category:AS Reggina 1914 players Category:English Football League players Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:Swiss Super League players Category:Serie B players Category:Süper Lig players Category:Premier League players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey Category:Men's association football forwards Category:People educated at Devenish College Category:Sportspeople from Enniskillen Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Turkey Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Switzerland Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Italy Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players Category:Heart of Midlothian F.C. players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Eliteserien players Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players Category:Anorthosis Famagusta FC players Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Cyprus Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus Category:West of Scotland Football League players Category:Johnstone Burgh F.C. players Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland