Kyle Lafferty in surprise transfer to Johnstone Burgh as former Rangers and Hearts striker makes seventh tier switch

Free agent Kyle Lafferty has made a shock move to West of Scotland League side Johnstone Burgh.

The former Rangers and Hearts striker has been without a club since a switch from Kilmarnock to Linfield brought no goals and a first season without the league title in five years. After a surprise exit from Rugby Park in the midst of the Scottish Premiership relegation scrap the 35-year-old opted to join his boyhood club in the hope of adding the firepower needed to make it five NIFL Premier Division titles in succession.

But he was unable to make his mark on David Healy's side - but still appeared to have something to offer at the top level of the Scottish game having netted three goals for Killie last term. But on his has now return to Scottish football he has opted for a crack at the seventh tier. The Northern Ireland cap follows his former Ibrox teammate Graham Dorrans to Johnstone Burgh with the midfielder signing for the Renfrewshire outfit after he was released by Dunfermline.

Speaking to Renfrewshire Live Sport, boss Jamie McKimsaid: “I’m absolutely buzzing to get Kyle’s signing over the line. We had our first meeting face-to-face about three weeks ago and it’s a huge statement from the club.

"Let’s be honest, if he’d signed for a Premiership team this week that wouldn’t have been unrealistic. His pedigree and record speaks for itself. He clearly could still cut it at that level – he was playing at a sold-out Hampden Park in January against Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals!

"It’s a massive move from us and he’s a top level, international player. Alongside Graham Dorrans, we now have more than 100 international caps between two Burgh players. I’m pretty certain that’s not happened before."

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