Kyle Lafferty completes Linfield transfer after shock Kilmarnock exit on deadline day

Lafferty is back in Northern Ireland after leaving Rugby Park against Derek McInnes' wishes.

Kyle Lafferty has found a new club after his shock exit from Kilmarnock.

The Northern Ireland legend is back in his home nation after signing a deal with champions Linfield until the end of the season. Lafferty was a surprise departure from Rugby Park on deadline day, with the Ayrshire club confirming that he left due to “disciplinary issues.” The striker had recently derived a 10-match ban after being found guilty by the SFA of using a sectarian slur in a video that emerged on social media last year.

Now the former Rangers and Hearts striker is back in blue after signing for former Ibrox and international teammate David Healy’s side until the end of the season. Linfield are four points off the pace in the Northern Irish Premier Division title race, trailing Belfast rivals Cliftonville who lead, and second placed Larne by one point. They will be hoping Lafferty can provide the goals to fire them back to the summit.

McInnes admitted that he wanted to keep Lafferty at Killie, but ultimately, the decision was out of his hands after a conversation between the player and club board. And the ex-Aberdeen boss said the “obsession” with Lafferty had to stop.

He said: "It was between the club and Kyle, I have said that enough. It wasn't something we were anticipating. We were trying to get one or two in, I wasn't expecting anyone to leave so the timing of that as a manager is disappointing. But I respect what's happened, the decision has been made and we move on. There can't be - I think there is this obsession with Kyle Lafferty, listen, it is done.

"He had a 10-game ban so we didn't really have his services a lot of the time this season anyway and we now need to continue. I wish Kyle well, I really like him, I am really fond of him and I will continue to keep in touch with him but his career is with someone else and I need to focus on Kilmarnock and the challenges we've got."

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