Where ex-Sunderland AFC star Kyle Lafferty is playing now may surprise you | OneFootball

The striker has played for a host of clubs across Europe but is now plying his trade in the lower leagues.

At 37 years of age, Kyle Lafferty is nearing the end of his career. Once a Champions League player with Scottish giants Rangers, the striker is now plying his trade at a significantly lower level.

Having forged a career across Europe, Lafferty had a brief spell with Sunderland in the 2019/20 season, playing a small part in their League One campaign under Phil Parkinson.

Following a string of short-term moves, the former Northern Ireland international is now playing for Johnstone Burgh FC, who play their football in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.

Kyle Lafferty had a reputation before joining Sunderland in 2020

Lafferty was already a household name before he joined Sunderland in the January 2020 transfer window. Having been a regular for Rangers and Northern Ireland, the forward had played on the grandest of stages in world football.

The striker was one of those players who never quite hit the heights expected of him during his early career. As a result, he found it difficult to settle at one club and played for eight sides before joining the Black Cats aged 32.

The Northern Irishman played for a number of obscure sides across Europe prior to his move to the North East, including in the Swiss, Italian and Turkish leagues.

Lafferty finally got his crack at the Premier League during his spell with Norwich City, but the forward only managed one appearance in the top flight.

Lafferty endured a short and forgettable spell with Sunderland

When Lafferty joined the Black Cats on a short-term deal in January 2020, his best days were behind him, but supporters were still eager to see if he could cut it in the third tier of English football.

Under the management of Parkinson, the striker mainly featured as a substitute and struggled to make an impact, with Charlie Wyke the preferred option up front.

Lafferty received his first start in what was to be the club's penultimate game of the season against Gillingham, scoring a brace in a 2-2 draw at the Priestfield Stadium.

The forward played his eleventh and final game for the club in March against Bristol Rovers, which ended in a miserable 2-0 defeat at the Memorial Stadium.

As the season was curtailed due to Covid-19, the Northern Irishman's time on Wearside came to a premature end. Although some might have wondered what might have been, it is unlikely the striker would have earned a fresh contract.

Lafferty now playing in the lower leagues of Scotland

Since departing Sunderland, Lafferty has continued his trend of representing obscure clubs across Europe, playing for Reggina 1914 and Anorthosis Famagusta in the Italian and Cypriot leagues.

Having left Kilmarnock due to disciplinary reasons, the forward now plays for West of Scotland League side Johnstone Burge. Lafferty revealed that he turned down a move to the EFL in favour of joining the seventh tier side.

When signing for the club in July 2023, the 37-year-old spoke of his reasons for joining the club. He said: "I'm not too sure many people know who Johnston Burgh are, but the project is to get through the leagues, get to the professional leagues, and let everyone realise who they are."

Despite his reputation in the game, Lafferty has only managed one league goal this season, but his side are currently ranked second in the league table.