McLaughlin began his career at his local club St. Mary's, and played all his under-age football for the club. In 2006, he signed for Clonmany Shamrocks senior side of the Inishowen Football League, and was successful during his first spell in junior football.
After appearing in League and Cup finals for Clonmany, McLaughlin was signed by Finn Harps, and played for their Under 20 and A Championship sides upon arrival. He was then called into the first-team, and went on to play several games for the club in the 2008 season. He was then assigned the no. 7 jersey for the 2009 campaign, with manager James Gallagher using McLaughlin right across the midfield and front-line.
He signed for Derry City after the 2010 season, after impressing in games against Derry at both Finn Park and the Brandywell. The move was touted at the end of the season, with McLaughlin signing terms with Stephen Kenny's side in January 2011. He wore the no. 15 shirt for the Candystripes. McLaughlin secured promotion from the League of Ireland First Division with the club in his first season, and won the FAI Cup in his second, netting 17 goals along the way.
McLaughlin signed with English Championship side Nottingham Forest on 3 January 2013, believed to be for a fee of roughly £160,000. McLaughlin did not make an appearance during the remainder of the 2012–13 season. After a spell out on loan to Bristol City at the start of the 2013 season, McLaughlin made his full Forest debut against Leeds United on 21 April 2014 under caretaker managerGary Brazil. At the beginning of the 2014–15 season under Stuart Pearce, McLaughlin became a more prominent member of the first team, with four appearances from the bench in Forest's first six games. As appearances for the first team at Forest became increasingly limited, McLaughlin joined their local rivals Notts County on a one-month emergency loan on 30 September 2014.
Southend (loan)
After a spell back at Forest, McLaughlin signed with Southend United until the end of the 2014–15 season. His debut for the Shrimpers was away at Bury, however this lasted just six minutes as the game was abandoned due to torrential rain, and his next game was at home to Mansfield which Southend won 2–0, and McLaughlin played 87 minutes. He scored twice in his spell for the Shrimpers, the first was in a 2–0 win over Newport and the second helped Southend to Wembley Stadium as he scored in extra time of the League 2 play-off semi-final against Stevenage. He went on to play an hour in the final against Wycombe Wanderers, which Southend eventually won 7–6 on penalties meaning that they won promotion to League One. After that game McLaughlin's loan spell ended, although having been released by Nottingham Forest, he has been linked with a permanent move back to Southend.
Southend United
On 27 August 2015, McLaughlin joined Southend United on a permanent deal, signing a two-year deal. McLaughlin made his debut as a substitute against Coventry City on 31 August 2015. McLaughlin has had a rough time with injuries in his career. He still goes unnoticed from the fans for the impact that he made in the second play off leg against Stevenage. Scoring and setting up a goal. McLaughlin gives it his all every game.
