Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin 'thrilled' with move to Australian Rules side

Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin has signed for Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW for the 2023 season.

McLaughlin is the current TG4 LGFA Players’ Player of the Year and All-Star and has played footballer internationally for the Republic of Ireland up to U-19 level as well as stints at world-renowned English clubs Newcastle and Sunderland.

“I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity and the chance to push myself into something new,” McLaughlin said. “The opportunities have become more available to girls to make the transition from Gaelic football to the AFLW. The skills are quite transferrable and it’s a new challenge with a new lifestyle for me, which is exciting.”

“The conversations I’ve had with (Head Coach) Cameron (Joyce) and (Head of Women’s Football) Fiona (Sessarago) have been positive and I’m looking forward to the new adventure.”

McLaughlin will become the second Irishwoman on the SUNS AFLW list alongside Clara Fitzpatrick from Down, who joined the club last week as part of a five-team mega trade.

“Niamh is a fantastic addition to our AFLW program. Not only is she an exciting talent on-field, but her natural leadership qualities that she’s shown throughout her career is something that will be of great benefit to our developing squad,” GC Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said. "We look forward to welcoming Niamh to the Gold Coast and the GC Suns.”

The club, which is based on Queensland's Gold Coast in the suburb of Carrara, has now added five new faces to its AFLW list with McLaughlin joining Maddy Brancatisano (Richmond), Jordan Membrey (Collingwood), Clara Fitzpatrick (St Kilda) and Ella Maurer (North Melbourne) who all joined the club during the AFLW Sign & Trade Period.