Cliftonville FC have secured the services of defender Kyle McClelland on a permanent deal. The 24-year-old joined the Reds on loan in January but was limited to just two appearances due to a broken toe injury.

What happened?

Kyle McClelland started the campaign on loan at Glenavon but fell out of favour, leading to his move to Cliftonville FC.

He suffered a broken toe in February against Dungannon Swifts, which ended his season.

Why it matters for Cliftonville FC

McClelland is eager to make up for lost time and prove himself in the Northern Ireland Premiership. He believes joining Cliftonville FC was a "no brainer" and is grateful for the trust shown in him by manager Jim Magilton.

CategoryStat
League standing5th in Premiership, 47 pts, 13W-8D-12L from 33 games
Recent formLWWLL
Goals this season49 scored, 48 conceded (+1 goal difference)

What comes next?

McClelland is determined to do his talking on the pitch and help Cliftonville FC improve their league standing. He has had his operation and is back training, doing rehab, and is hungry to make a strong impact.

Cliftonville FC's last result was a 1-2 loss to Dungannon Swifts on 2026-05-09. The team is currently 26 points behind leaders Larne.

With a new season on the horizon, McClelland is keen to put the past behind him and focus on the future. He wants to prove a lot of people wrong and show that he can play at a high level.

As Cliftonville FC prepare for the new season, they will be looking to build on their current form and push for a higher league finish. With McClelland on board, they will be hoping to strengthen their defense and make a strong challenge for the title.