Early Career McLaughlin played in the youth ranks for
Lisburn Youth in
Drumbo and was then picked up by
Glenavon F.C. of the
Irish League. in December 2009.
Liverpool in 2012. Liverpool signed 16-year-old Ryan McLaughlin in the summer of 2011 from Glenavon on a three-year deal. On 9 January 2014, McLaughlin was signed by
Football League Championship side
Barnsley on a 28-day loan deal and was given squad number 27. He made his club and senior career debut on 18 January against
Blackpool in the
Championship. On 29 January 2014 it was announced that McLaughlin sustained an injury that will keep him out for four weeks. Two days later his loan was extended until the end of the season. The only senior appearance McLaughlin made in the 2014–15 season was in an international friendly for
Northern Ireland. On 10 June 2016, he was released from the club.
Oldham Athletic On 8 August 2016, McLaughlin signed a one-year deal with
League One side
Oldham Athletic, with the option of a further year. He was offered a new contract by Oldham at the end of the 2017–18 season, following their relegation.
Blackpool He joined
Blackpool on 17 July 2018 with the clubs agreeing a compensation package.
Rochdale On 23 January 2019, McLaughlin signed for
Rochdale for an undisclosed fee. On 17 August 2020, McLaughlin returned to
Rochdale signing a one-year contract.
Morecambe On 10 September 2021, McLaughlin joined
League One side
Morecambe on a one-year deal. On 1 September 2022, it was announced that McLaughlin had departed the club by mutual consent.
St Patrick's Athletic On 28 July 2023, McLaughlin signed for
League of Ireland Premier Division club
St Patrick's Athletic. He made his debut for the club on 25 August 2023, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 win away to
UCD. McLaughlin featured in the Quarter and Semi Finals of the club's run to the
2023 FAI Cup Final, but missed out on the matchday squad due to injury as his side defeated
Bohemians 3–1 at the
Aviva Stadium in front of a record
FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881. He signed a new contract with the club on 7 December 2023. On 8 October 2024, McLaughlin captained a second string Pats side to a 2–1 win over
St Mochta's in the final of the
2023–24 Leinster Senior Cup. On 5 December 2024, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed a new contract with the club. On 10 July 2025, McLaughlin made the first appearance in European competition of his career in a 1–0 win over
Hegelmann of
Lithuania in the
UEFA Conference League at
Richmond Park. On 14 August 2025, he scored his first goal for the club, giving his side a 2–0 lead away to
Turkish giants
Beşiktaş in the
UEFA Conference League. He made a total of 53 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal, before departing at the end of his contract in November 2025.
Brooklyn FC On 3 March 2026, it was announced that McLaughlin had signed for newly formed
USL Championship club
Brooklyn FC ahead of their inaugural season. On 8 March 2026, he made his debut for the club in their first ever game, a 1–0 victory over
Indy Eleven. ==International career==