Kyle Lafferty admits it was a "no-brainer' to join Linfield after his old Rangers teammate David Healy approached him.

The striker penned a deal with his boyhood club until the end of the season after leaving Kilmarnock on deadline day. 

The Northern Ireland international's exit from Rugby park came as a huge shock last week. 

It was revealed that he departed Ayrshire under somewhat of a cloud, after a discussion with the club's board over a 'disciplinary issue'.

Derek McInnes insisted that it was not his call to part company with Lafferty, admitting he would love to have kept him as Killie aim to stay in the Premiership.

But he's now on the books of Linfield and will link up with Healy. They played together for a brief spell at Ibrox, but featured together more so with their national side.

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Lafferty is set to make his debut against league leaders Cliftonville this weekend, who Linfield trail by four points in the title race.

He said: “There was a lot of speculation about me coming here. Knowing how big a club Linfield is and supporting them as a young boy as well, it’s something I've always looked at so I’m absolutely delighted to be here.

“I know how passionate the fans are. They’re required to win trophies every single season. Every team I’ve played for in my career have always had high expectations to win trophies and I’ve come to Linfield who have the same expectations so it ticks all the boxes.

“I’ve known the gaffer having played with him for Northern Ireland and at Rangers. We always had that good connection and good relationship as friends. When he gave me the call, it was a no-brainer. I have to thank him for giving me the opportunity.”

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