Soccer

Damien Duff signs 18-month deal with Shamrock Rovers

‘I am definitely not just here to see out my time as a player; I intend to make a positive contribution to Shamrock Rovers and to the league’

Damien Duff, seen here attending a match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Longford Town with Stephen Hunt, has joined Shamrock Rovers on an 18-month deal. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Damien Duff, seen here attending a match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Longford Town with Stephen Hunt, has joined Shamrock Rovers on an 18-month deal. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Tue Jul 14 2015 - 18:24

Damien Duff has made good on his promise to himself to finish his career in Ireland after completing an 18-month deal to play for Shamrock Rovers.

The 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland winger will join up with Pat Fenlon’s side immediately after returning home following an injury-shortened spell at Melbourne City in Australia.

The Ballyboden man made 100 international appearances between 1998 and 2012, scoring eight goals, and made over 400 Premier League appearances for Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham.

“I am very excited to have signed for the club. It’s great to have it all finalised and now I’m just really looking forward to getting back on the pitch,” said Duff.

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“I am still out with a bit of an injury, but I should be ready to get back training fully before the end of the month. After that I will be very keen to get back playing regularly.

“I have always said that I wanted to come back and play in Ireland and I am very grateful to Pat and the club for giving me the chance to do that. Not only do I get the chance to come back and play, but I get to do it at the biggest club in the country.

“I am as excited about this move as I have been about any in my career, be that Newcastle, Chelsea or any other. I left Ireland 20 years ago to go and make a career as a footballer and so now it’s great to be back. And I am definitely not just here to see out my time as a player; I intend to make a positive contribution to Shamrock Rovers and to the league.”