STEPHEN KENNY CONTINUES to strengthen his squad ahead of Dundalk’s SSE Airtricity League title defence with the addition of winger Michael Duffy from Celtic.
The 22-year-old returns to the League of Ireland after a two-year spell in Scotland.
Duffy found first-team opportunities hard to come by during his time at Celtic Park but enjoyed loan stints with Alloa Athletic and, more recently, Dundee in the Scottish Premier League.
The Northern Ireland U21 international, who received a call-up to Michael O’Neill’s senior squad last summer, says he is looking forward to ‘playing football again’ after sealing his move to Dundalk.
“I’m buzzing to join Dundalk. I’m just happy now that it has finally got done,” he told the club’s website.
Advertisement
“I enjoyed my two years in Scotland. I have some good memories of it; I played in some big games and made a good lot of friends. It just didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I still enjoyed it.”
“I’ve seen how well Stephen and Dundalk have been doing over the past few years. Speaking to him and listening to his plans with me, I really wanted to come here.
“I followed Dundalk and watched all their games in Europe and saw how well they were doing. They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group stages, so I’m hoping they can go on the same run again this year.
Duffy during his time with Derry. Lorcan Doherty
Lorcan Doherty
“Personally, I’m just hoping to get back to playing week in, week out and enjoying football again. I want to get back to scoring goals and have a good season, and hope that Dundalk have a successful season.”
Duffy will now fly to Spain to link-up with his new team-mates at their training camp in Salou ahead of the start of the new season.
While the League of Ireland champions have lost the services of Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan and Ronan Finn over the winter, Kenny has been able to bolster his resources by bringing in Conor Clifford, Sean Hoare, Jamie McGrath and now Duffy.
The Derry native earned a move to Celtic in February 2015 after impressing for his home town club having come up through the Candystripes’ youth system. He scored 13 goals in 57 appearances for Derry but his opportunities were limited in Scotland.
“Everyone at Celtic would like to thank Michael for his contribution to the club during his two years in Paradise and wish him every success in the future,” the SPL club said.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Irish winger Duffy returns home from Celtic to join League of Ireland champions
STEPHEN KENNY CONTINUES to strengthen his squad ahead of Dundalk’s SSE Airtricity League title defence with the addition of winger Michael Duffy from Celtic.
The 22-year-old returns to the League of Ireland after a two-year spell in Scotland.
Duffy found first-team opportunities hard to come by during his time at Celtic Park but enjoyed loan stints with Alloa Athletic and, more recently, Dundee in the Scottish Premier League.
The Northern Ireland U21 international, who received a call-up to Michael O’Neill’s senior squad last summer, says he is looking forward to ‘playing football again’ after sealing his move to Dundalk.
“I’m buzzing to join Dundalk. I’m just happy now that it has finally got done,” he told the club’s website.
“I enjoyed my two years in Scotland. I have some good memories of it; I played in some big games and made a good lot of friends. It just didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I still enjoyed it.”
“I’ve seen how well Stephen and Dundalk have been doing over the past few years. Speaking to him and listening to his plans with me, I really wanted to come here.
“I followed Dundalk and watched all their games in Europe and saw how well they were doing. They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group stages, so I’m hoping they can go on the same run again this year.
“Personally, I’m just hoping to get back to playing week in, week out and enjoying football again. I want to get back to scoring goals and have a good season, and hope that Dundalk have a successful season.”
Duffy will now fly to Spain to link-up with his new team-mates at their training camp in Salou ahead of the start of the new season.
While the League of Ireland champions have lost the services of Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan and Ronan Finn over the winter, Kenny has been able to bolster his resources by bringing in Conor Clifford, Sean Hoare, Jamie McGrath and now Duffy.
The Derry native earned a move to Celtic in February 2015 after impressing for his home town club having come up through the Candystripes’ youth system. He scored 13 goals in 57 appearances for Derry but his opportunities were limited in Scotland.
“Everyone at Celtic would like to thank Michael for his contribution to the club during his two years in Paradise and wish him every success in the future,” the SPL club said.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
We are not completely stupid! Wenger defends decision not to start Walcott
4 winners and 4 losers from the January transfer window
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Done Deal Michael Duffy