Decorated former Rangers and Hearts star joins eighth tier Scottish club amid millionaire investment
89-times capped international signed as part of ambitious project
Former Rangers, Hearts and Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty will be playing in the eighth tier of Scottish football this season after signing for Forth Wanderers.
The 89-times capped international drops down from tier five after spending the past three seasons with Johnstone Burgh, where he won promotion the Lowland League and lifted the Scottish Junior Cup.
The decorated 38-year-old will now play in West of Scotland Second Division under manager Gerry Ward after joining the club based at Kingshill Park in the village of Forth, South Lanarkshire.
The signing follows investment in Wanderers by multi-millionaire businessman Paul McManus, also a drummer with Scottish rock band Gun, as part of ambitious plans to develop his hometown club.
McManus said: "We're absolutely delighted to welcome Kyle Lafferty to Forth Wanderers.
"His experience, quality and winning mentality speak for themselves, and securing a player of Kyle's calibre is a real statement of intent for everyone connected with the club.
“Gerry and I have shared a clear ambition to build a squad that can compete, excite our supporters and raise standards.
“Kyle's arrival is another significant step in that journey. He's someone who knows what it takes to perform at the highest level, and his leadership both on and off the pitch will be invaluable to the dressing room.
“But this is about more than what happens over 90 minutes on a Saturday. We want Forth Wanderers to be a club that inspires its local community, gives young people something to believe in, and creates opportunities for the next generation of players to develop and fulfil their potential.
“This signing demonstrates that Forth Wanderers is serious about its future. We're building something the local community can be proud of. There's still plenty of hard work ahead, but we're excited to see Kyle in a Forth Wanderers shirt."
Lafferty, who won three Scottish Premiership titles, one Scottish Cup, and two League Cups with Rangers, alongside a Serie B title in Italy, and also played for his country at Euro 2016, added: “I’m really excited to get started at Forth Wanderers. It's another project that I'm thrilled to be involved in and I can hopefully help the team climb the leagues and stamp their authority in the Junior leagues and beyond."
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