Early career Born in
Edinburgh,
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. At the start of the following season McLaughlin fell ill, and
Matt Duke was brought in as first choice goalkeeper. 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. 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. ==International career==