A former Preston North End defender has landed a coaching role with the City Football Group.

Former PNE defender Conor McLaughlin has confirmed he has accepted a full-time role within the academy setup of MLS club New York City FC.

The 43-times capped Northern Ireland international came through the youth ranks at North End and made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Lilywhites between 2011 and 2012. McLaughlin also earned senior experience during a loan spell with Shrewsbury Town before bringing an end to his time as a North End player with a free transfer switch to Fleetwood Town during the summer of 2012.

A five-year stint saw the defender help his side qualify for the League Two play-offs in 2014 and he was part of the Town side that secured promotion into League One with a 1-0 Wembley win against Burton Albion. McLaughlin earned a return to the Championship with a free transfer move to Millwall in 2017 and then moved on to Sunderland two years later as he accepted an offer to join a new look Black Cats squad that were looking to bounce back from relegation into League One.

McLaughlin made a half-century of appearances for the Stadium of Light club before bringing down the curtain on his playing career back in the colours of Fleetwood. An injury forced the former North End man into early retirement in 2022 and he has now confirmed he will be moving Stateside to take up a full-time role working as assistant coach of New York City FC’s Under-18s side.

He posted on LinkedIn: “Excited to share that I’ve stepped into a full-time role as Assistant Coach with the U18s at New York City FC. Amazing to be back in this environment and pass on my experience to help our young players in their development.”

Your next Preston North End read: Preston North End play-off push assessed after Wrexham draw at Bristol City