Kyle Lafferty reveals he turned down offers from English clubs to sign for Scottish seventh-tier outfit Johnstone Burgh

The 35-year-old made eight Premiership appearances for Linfield after his high-profile arrival at Windsor Park in February, but was unable to find the net as David Healy’s side finished second behind Larne and departed earlier this summer.

Lafferty, who has previous experience of playing in Scotland with Rangers, Hearts and Kilmarnock, confirmed on Wednesday that he would be dropping down to the West of Scotland First Division, where he’ll link up with former Gers teammate and Scotland midfielder Graham Dorrans.

With other offers on the table from multiple clubs in England, Lafferty, capped 89 times by Northern Ireland, says he wanted to put his family first.

"I was given offers in the Championship, League One and Two in England but I've been away from home and from my wife and kids for a massive part of their lives,” he told Sky Sports. “I had to stop being selfish and be at home when the kids want me to be, drop them off at school and things like that.

"I owe it to them to be based in Scotland again and watch them grow up."

Johnstone Burgh finished seventh in the First Division last season, winning 13 of 30 league games, but will have expectations to be fighting for silverware this time around with experienced internationals in their squad.

Lafferty wants to play his part in helping them secure that goal of promotion up the Scottish pyramid and is committed to seeing out his contract with the Renfrewshire-based club.

"I'm very excited,” he added. “It was an opportunity that came about three weeks ago.

"Seeing Graham Dorrans, who I'm really close to, sign here so I spoke to him at great length about it and there's a project here I'm very excited about.

"I'm not too sure many people will know who Johnstone Burgh are but the project is to get through the leagues, get into the professional leagues and make everyone realise who they are.

"Great people run the club, I've met all the workers and it's a proper family club. Everyone is working together to make this club good so I'm excited to be part of it and it'll be an exciting few years.

"I'm going to be 36 in September and have signed here for two years. I'm going to see out my contract here so if I feel good and the club wants to keep me longer I'll be happy to.

"If an offer comes along and the club wants to look at it then it's up to them, but I'll be happy here. I'm here for two years and will be happy."