Nafisa
Kyle Lafferty Eyes Retirement After Signing New Deal With Johnstone Burgh
Veteran striker Kyle Lafferty, who previously starred for Rangers, Hearts, and Sunderland, has revealed he may be entering the final chapter of his playing career. The 37-year-old has signed a new one-year deal with Johnstone Burgh, a club competing in the West of Scotland League Premier Division, and admits the upcoming season could be his last as a player.
Capped 89 times by Northern Ireland, Lafferty first made his name with Burnley before enjoying a trophy-laden spell at Rangers, where he scored 31 goals across four seasons and helped the club to multiple league and cup triumphs. His career also included stints with FC Sion under Gennaro Gattuso, Palermo, Norwich City, Hearts where he famously helped end Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten domestic run Sunderland, Reggina, Kilmarnock, Anorthosis Famagusta, and Linfield.
In 2023, Lafferty made the move into semi-professional football by signing with Johnstone Burgh, though a serious knee injury early on disrupted his debut season. He bounced back to play a crucial role last campaign, netting the winning penalty in the Scottish Junior Cup final, securing the club’s first title in the competition since 1968.
Now focused on helping Burgh reach the Lowland League, Lafferty has hinted that he may transition into coaching once his playing days are done. He expressed a desire to remain with the club beyond retirement, potentially taking on a developmental role to mentor young players and build on his work through his own soccer academy.
“If I am here next year, it will probably be my last season,” he admitted. “But I’d love to leave the club in the Lowland League and continue helping from the sidelines.”
Nafisa
