TikToker wife of Belfast Giants star thrilled to sign for Linfield

Jackie Gendron (29) came here last August with her 27-year-old husband Miles.

She has been sharing their Northern Ireland experiences online and has gained almost 130,000 followers on TikTok, where she often seeks recommendations for restaurants and tourist spots.

“We have absolutely loved living in Belfast,” she said.

“There is so much to offer and we definitely feel spoiled getting to live here.

“The restaurants are amazing, the scenery is unbelievable and we have had the best time exploring everything the country has to offer. We also appreciate how welcoming everyone has been to us.”

Her dive into the local football scene with Linfield came about after she expressed on her social media pages just how much she missed playing.

“Football has always been a significant part of my life, from my college days to our time living in Norway,” Jackie added.

“Somehow, this message reached one of the coaches at Linfield who kindly invited me to join a practice session to see if it might be a good fit.

“Meeting the coaching staff, interacting with the players and hearing about Linfield’s impressive track record made the decision to join the team an easy one.

“While I do wish I had joined sooner to bond with the girls as they geared up for the season, the joy of being part of a team again has been truly fulfilling.”

She played her first match with the Blues last weekend in a friendly against Derry City, which the Belfast side won 3-2.

“I had so much fun out there. It’s just nice to run around and play soccer again because I never thought that I’d be able to” the Massachusetts woman added.

“I’ve been met with such warmth and acceptance from the girls, coaches, and fans since joining. I’m jumping into the season much later than the others, so it’ll naturally take me a bit to find my rhythm again.

“Nevertheless, the experience of being part of a team once more has been incredibly fulfilling. The team is made up of an exceptional group of hardworking girls who have shown remarkable patience and hospitality towards me, despite my late arrival.

“Every moment spent playing again has been cherished, and it’s clear to me that this team is truly something special.”

The ice hockey season finished in April, so the couple have a bit more free time.

Jackie and Miles are going to stay in Ireland throughout the summer, with lots of trips planned, including visits to the likes of Dublin, Rathlin Island and Derry.

Jackie Gendron, who has nearly 130k followers on the platform, loving life in NI since moving last year

However, they are still seeking more suggestions, with Jackie noting “it doesn’t have to be a big city, we also love the tiny villages”.

​You can follow Jackie on TikTok at @jgendron10