Everton completed the signing of 17-year-old Ben from Irish outfit Dundalk in August 2012.

A right-back, the teenager penned a three-year deal with the Blues and joined up with Alan Stubbs' under-21 squad.

The hard-working McLaughlin only made his debut for Dundalk in March 2012 but impressed for the League of Ireland Premier Division side and quickly established himself as a first-team regular.