Larne’s latest signing Sam McClelland has revealed “I didn't know if I would be back” playing football after enduring a two-year injury nightmare – but now wants to “kick on” at Inver Park.

Former Chelsea defender McClelland, who is also a senior Northern Ireland international, made his last league appearance in St Johnstone’s 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Aberdeen in August 2024.

The 24-year-old ruptured his Achilles and has been out of action since, but after working his way back to full fitness, McClelland is now making a return with the Irish League champions.

McClelland’s arrival helps Larne fill the void left by the departures of Ryan Nolan and Cian Bolger, and the ex-Coleraine youngster is determined to make up for lost time after serious doubts over his future.

placeholder image — Sam McClelland during his loan spell from Chelsea in League Two at Barrow. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

"It has been a tough couple of years and going into the summer I wasn't sure what to really think, but I'm happy to get everything sorted and look forward now,” he told the club’s media channel. “I've missed being on the pitch with the lads and actual football training, you can't replace that.

"I've integrated in well. I know a few of the lads and know of others.

"I have enjoyed training and felt good, I have got myself into as good of shape as I can be. I've worked hard to get back when this time last year I didn't even know if I would be back.

"I've got myself into a good place thanks to people helping me along the way and hopefully this gives me the opportunity to get myself back to where I want to be.

"What I've went through and overcome, I feel like I can handle anything now.

"Hopefully I can look back at this as the start of me going again and getting back to whatever level I can get back to and pushing on. The last couple of years have been very tough but I've got through it and hopefully I can kick on.”

Having spent time in both England, where he enjoyed a loan spell at Barrow, and Scotland alongside connections to Northern Ireland, McClelland wasn’t short on options when deciding his next career step.

McClelland admits manager Gary Haveron successfully sold his vision for Larne’s future as the Co Antrim club prepare for a return to Champions League qualifying action next month – they’ll discover their first-round opponents on Tuesday.

"I spoke to a couple of clubs here and a few over in England and Scotland as well,” added McClelland. “It will have been two years since I have played a game of football.

"I'm in that position coming into this summer not knowing what I should or shouldn't do, but after speaking to the manager and how he sold it to me, it fit well.

"I want to push on and Larne is a brilliant place to do that.”

Speaking about McClelland’s arrival, Haveron said: “Sam is a player I’ve always liked.

“He is a player who has been tipped for big things from an early age. He went to Chelsea as a youngster and had a very successful loan at Barrow as part of it.

“He unfortunately picked up a bad injury and was maybe too brave for his own good, trying to play through it when he probably should have been taken out.

“He is back fully fit now; he flew through his medical. I’m really excited to see Sam in a Larne shirt, because he had the potential to be one of the best centre halves in the Irish League.

“He’s shown his class and ability throughout his career. He’s capped by Northern Ireland at underage levels and has a full international cap to his name.

“Sam is also hungry to kick on. He will bring a presence, leadership and composure on the ball – so we’re delighted to bring him to the club.”