Linfield confirm two more exits as Michael Newberry and Daniel Finlayson depart
Scottish defender Daniel Finlayson has confirmed his departure from Linfield
Centre-back Michael Newberry has joined Belfast rivals Cliftonville from Linfield
Linfield have confirmed two further departures from Windsor Park in the summer window, with defenders Michael Newberry and Daniel Finlayson both headed through the Windsor Park exit door.
Newcastle upon Tyne native Newberry has joined the Blues’ Belfast rivals Cliftonville ahead of the 2024/25 season, while right-sided ace Finlayson leaves having spent two years – firstly on an initial loan deal from St Mirren in 2022 before the Scot made that a permanent switch on a one-year deal in the summer of 2023 – with David Healy’s side.
The Linfield manager has already seen long-serving defender Matthew Clarke and forward Jordan Stewart move on after 11 and seven years with the club respectively, with Clarke on his way across the water to Livingston, who have had their relegation from the Scottish Premiership confirmed, and Stewart heading across the city to Crusaders having recently returned after over a year out through injury.
Newberry, who joined Linfield in the winter of 2021 following a two-year stint with Icelandic outfit Víkingur Ólafsvík, moves to the Crues’ north Belfast rivals Cliftonville, who clinched their first Irish Cup in 45 years at the Blues’ expense, having won two League titles, the Irish Cup and two BetMcLean Cups during his time at Windsor Park.
The 26-year-old English-born star, who can operate both at centre-back and full-back, has previously represented Northern Ireland at youth level after rising through Newcastle United’s Academy ranks and becomes Reds boss Jim Magilton’s first recruit of the summer.
Former Rangers product Finlayson (22), who also enjoyed loan spells with Kelty Hearts and California-based Orange County before joining the Blues and whose next destination has not yet been confirmed, took to social media to announce his exit from Linfield and described it as a “privilege to play for such a special club”.
“Thank you for the last two years,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s been a privilege to play for such a special club.
“I would like to wish my team-mates, the staff and the club all the very best moving forward.”
