SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE won the battle to sign Damien Duff after agreeing an 18-month deal with the former Ireland international.
The winger is currently recovering from injury but is expected to make his League of Ireland debut in early August.
Rovers’ Dublin rivals St Pat’s were also heavily linked with Duff, who made no secret of his desire to play in the league.
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But the 36-year-old chose the Tallaght club and said: “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.”
His arrival comes as a huge boost as Rovers look to close the gap on runaway Premier Division leaders Dundalk in the second half of the season.
It was reported last week that Duff, who won 100 Ireland caps, would not receive a regular wage from Rovers and instead the club and its partners would make a donation to charity.
However it is understood that while this possibility was discussed during talks, it is not the case.
Rovers join an illustrious playing CV which includes more than 400 Premier League appearances across Chelsea — where he won two league titles — Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle and Fulham.
Injury brought a premature end to his stint with Melbourne City in Australia’s A-League, after which he returned to Ireland.
Duff has been working his way back from injury since returning home from Australia. David Maher / SPORTSFILE
David Maher / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
He will team up with two other former Ireland internationals in Stephen McPhail and Keith Fahey.
“I am as excited about this move as I have been about any in my career, be that Newcastle, Chelsea or any other,” he said.
“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.”
Damien Duff has signed for Shamrock Rovers
Updated 18.45
SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE won the battle to sign Damien Duff after agreeing an 18-month deal with the former Ireland international.
The winger is currently recovering from injury but is expected to make his League of Ireland debut in early August.
Rovers’ Dublin rivals St Pat’s were also heavily linked with Duff, who made no secret of his desire to play in the league.
But the 36-year-old chose the Tallaght club and said: “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.”
His arrival comes as a huge boost as Rovers look to close the gap on runaway Premier Division leaders Dundalk in the second half of the season.
It was reported last week that Duff, who won 100 Ireland caps, would not receive a regular wage from Rovers and instead the club and its partners would make a donation to charity.
However it is understood that while this possibility was discussed during talks, it is not the case.
Rovers join an illustrious playing CV which includes more than 400 Premier League appearances across Chelsea — where he won two league titles — Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle and Fulham.
Injury brought a premature end to his stint with Melbourne City in Australia’s A-League, after which he returned to Ireland.
He will team up with two other former Ireland internationals in Stephen McPhail and Keith Fahey.
“I am as excited about this move as I have been about any in my career, be that Newcastle, Chelsea or any other,” he said.
“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.”
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