Champions Larne sign central defender McClelland

Irish Premiership champions Larne have completed the signing of 24-year-old defender Sam McClelland. McClelland arrives at Inver Park following a four-year spell in England and Scotland. Having moved to Chelsea from Coleraine's academy in 2018, McClelland had a loan spell in the EFL with Barrow in the 2022-23 season. Following this stint with the League Two club, McClelland moved north of the border to sign for St Johnstone in 2023. His spell at McDiarmid Park included a successful loan spell with Dundee United, where the defender helped the Tannadice club to the Scottish Championship title. On the international stage, McClelland has been capped at youth level up to and including 10 appearances for the under-21 side. He went on to make his senior international debut against Ukraine in a friendly in June 2021. The defender missed the last year because of a ruptured Achilles injury but has returned to fitness in time to boost the east Antrim club's squad before their European and domestic campaigns. "Sam is a player I've always liked. He is a player who has been tipped for big things from an early age," said Larne manager Gary Haveron. "He unfortunately picked up a bad injury and was maybe too brave for his own good, trying to play through it when he probably should have been taken out. "He is back fully fit now; he flew through his medical. I'm really excited to see Sam in Larne shirt, because he had the potential to be one of the best centre halves in the Irish League." "Sam is hungry to kick on. He will bring a presence, leadership and composure on the ball – so we're delighted to bring him to the club."