Jonathan Peter McLaughlin (born 9 September 1987) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Middlesbrough.
He previously played for Harrogate Railway Athletic, Harrogate Town, Bradford City (including appearing in the 2013 Football League Cup Final), Burton Albion, Heart of Midlothian, Sunderland, Rangers, and Swansea City.
He made his international debut for Scotland in 2018.
Career Early career Born in Edinburgh, McLaughlin played non-League football for both Harrogate Railway Athletic and Harrogate Town.
Bradford City He signed for Bradford City in May 2008. He had trained with Bradford for a year prior to his signing and combined playing for the two Harrogate clubs with a sports coaching degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. He made his league debut for Bradford City in the final match of the 2008–09 season, on 2 May 2009, against Chesterfield. McLaughlin had been due to make his debut earlier in the season, but was prevented by doing so because of injury. He signed a new one-year contract with Bradford City on 3 June 2009.
McLaughlin signed a new three-year contract in early June 2010.
In the 2010–2011 season McLaughlin was in and out of the team, with Lenny Pidgeley also challenging for the goalkeeper spot. However, Pidgeley was released by Bradford at the end of the season."Exeter City bring in Bradford goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley". BBC Sport. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012. At the start of the following season McLaughlin fell ill, and Matt Duke was brought in as first choice goalkeeper."Bantams keeper McLaughlin hospitalised by food bug". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012."Bradford sign keeper Matt Duke and seal three other deals". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012. On 27 March 2012, he received a 3 match ban after being sent off against Crawley Town as he took part in a post-match brawl.. Bradford City A.F.C. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012. On 17 September 2012, McLaughlin was named in the Football League Team of the Week for League Two. After appearing as a substitute in the 2013 League Cup Final, McLaughlin enjoyed an extended run in the first-team, and played in the League Two play-off final in May 2013. Following the match, and Bradford City's subsequent promotion, McLaughlin was told by the club he had a future with them, after a clause in his contract to extend it by one year was utilised.
Ahead of the 2013–14 season, recently departed goalkeeper Matt Duke said he believed McLaughlin would be the club's new first-choice goalkeeper, though McLaughlin later stated that he felt he still had work to do to prove himself as the club's first-choice keeper. In December 2013, McLaughlin stated that the club had had a "great start to the season", though he felt that recent performances had been poor. Later that month, manager Phil Parkinson praised McLaughlin's performances. As of April 2014, McLaughlin was one of only two players to have appearance in every league match for the club.
McLaughlin left the club in July 2014 after failing to agree a new contract. McLaughlin stated that he left the club "on a sour note."
Burton Albion McLaughlin signed a one-year contract with Burton Albion on 23 July 2014. After winning promotion with Burton to League One, McLaughlin stated how excited he was at the prospect of meeting former club Bradford City in the league. He was released by Burton Albion at the end of the 2016–17 season.
Heart of Midlothian After a trial spell, McLaughlin signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian in August 2017. He made his first appearance for Hearts on 9 September, in a goalless draw against Aberdeen at Murrayfield. He left Hearts on 31 May 2018, at the expiry of his contract.
Sunderland
McLaughlin signed for League One club Sunderland in June 2018. In October 2018 he said he was comfortable with the pressure of playing for such a big team.
Rangers On 23 June 2020, McLaughlin joined Rangers on a two-year deal. On 30 January 2022, McLaughlin signed a contract extension until summer 2024.
He was released by Rangers at the end of the 2023–24 season.
Swansea City
On 28 August 2024, McLaughlin signed for EFL Championship club Swansea City on a short-term deal through to January 2025. On 17 January 2025, he agreed a contract extension to the end of the season.
He was released by Swansea at the end of the 2024–25 season. His only appearance for the club was in a 3–0 defeat against Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup.
Middlesbrough He signed for Middlesbrough on 1 September 2025. On 28 May 2026, Middlesbrough announced it was releasing the player.
International career McLaughlin's debut call-up to the Scotland national team was in March 2018, and again in May 2018. He made his first full international appearance on 2 June 2018, in a 1–0 defeat against Mexico. He was without a club contract at the time, as his debut came just a few days after he had left Hearts.
In May 2021 he was selected to the Scotland squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
In September 2022 he was recalled to the Scotland squad for the UEFA Nations League, but had to withdraw.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHarrogate Town2007–08Conference North210———210Bradford City2008–09League Two10000000102009–10League Two70000000702010–11League Two2500020102802011–12League Two2303000202802012–13League Two2302020603302013–14League One460101000480Total12506050901450Burton Albion2014–15League Two4500030004802015–16League One4500000004502016–17Championship4301010—450Total13301040001380Heart of Midlothian2017–18Scottish Premiership33030——360Sunderland2018–19League One4603010505502019–20League One320101010350Total780402060900Rangers2020–21Scottish Premiership1101010101402021–22Scottish Premiership805020101602022–23Scottish Premiership1000010501602023–24Scottish Premiership0000000000Total290604070460Swansea City2024-25Championship0010000010Middlesbrough2025–26Championship00000000002026–27Championship0000000000Total0000000000Career total41902101502204770
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsScotland201810201910Total20
Honours Bradford City Football League Two play-offs: 2013 Football League Cup runner-up: 2012–13
Burton Albion Football League One runner-up: 2015–16 Football League Two: 2014–15
Sunderland EFL Trophy runner-up: 2018–19
Rangers Scottish Premiership: 2020–21 Scottish Cup: 2021–22 UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2021–22
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 League One
References