Updated at 17.33
IRELAND LEGEND DAMIEN Duff has brought his 20-year career in football to an end.
The 36-year-old former Blackburn and Chelsea winger, who ended his career with a short spell at Shamrock Rovers, won 100 caps for Ireland.
“After much deliberation, I have today decided to bring my professional football career to an end,” the Dubliner said in a statement.
“My heart wants me to continue playing but my body has finally won the battle and told me to stop.
“I’ve lived every young boy’s dream and I know I am a very lucky man.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the journey from schoolboy football in Dublin and moving to England as a teenager right up to today.
“I am extremely proud to have won 100 caps for my country — it was always my greatest pleasure to represent Ireland and I have many magical memories from my international career.
“While I have finished playing, I am progressing with my coaching badges and will stay involved in the game for many years to come.
I am grateful to Pat Fenlon and Shamrock Rovers FC for giving me the opportunity to finish my career back home — they have some exciting plans for the club for the future and I wish them well. I had hoped to play for one more year but it was not to be.
“Thank you to all the many fans for your support over the years.
“I would like to especially thank my wife Elaine, my children, my parents Gerard & Mary and my family for being, and continuing to be, my biggest supporters.”
Having played for Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin’s Boys as a schoolboy in Dublin, Duff came through the youth system at Blackburn and went on to score 27 goals in 185 appearances for the club.
He became the most expensive Irish player ever, when he joined Chelsea for £17million in 2003.
After winning two Premier League titles, the League Cup and the Community Shield with the London club, Duff went on to have spells at Newcastle, Fulham and Melbourne City, before finishing his career back in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers.
He scored eight goals in 100 caps for Ireland, and appeared at both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Brilliant player. He was an absolute joy to watch during the 2002 World Cup. Great talent in his day. I wish him the best in retirement!
Best irish winger in my lifetime Brilliant !!!!
Said himself his best days were at the Bridge.
Him one side and Robben the other.
Thanks for the memories, Daymo.
Ran amok against the Spanish midfield in the 02 World Cup, that’ll always be my abiding memory of him. Among many, many more. Enjoy the retirement Duffer.
A true Leg- end!!! Thanks for the memories Mr duff!
19 goals for Chelsea.
Himself and Robben were lethal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsuEyYfeEJ0
What an unbelievable player he was.. Very passionte to the green jersey.. Happy retirement
Absolute legend and seems like a really decent guy to boot. I’ll never forget him running through on the barcelona defence in 2005 I think and scoring Chelsea’s third within the first twenty minutes or so… ‘GO ON DUFF!!’
Hope retirement treats him as well as his career did.
He was brilliant against Spain in the World Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGnw0rh58Us
Serious footage there Paul, you’d forget just how good he was
Great clip. Don’t you miss the days when we had at least one absolute world class player! I love the current crop. Real tryers, but as much as I love Walters, Hoolihan and Long, they just don’t have the class of duffer circa 2001-2006.
Absolute legend, great memories of him playing for Ireland and in the premier league. Here’s him singing the Irish anthem away with the fairys lol https://youtu.be/lVxk3R5plUc
Probably my favourite Duffer moment bar the goals he scored in green
Was a pleasure to watch him in the green jersey for many years. Dribbling skills were immense and will always remember him tormenting the Spanish in ’02.
And absolute ledge! Cheers Damo. One of only a handful of Irish players to win the Premier League and by all accounts a nice lad. Hope he enjoyies life after football. He has earned it
Two premier league titles and a league cup medal. You’re right, he was a disaster at Chelsea.
That was to d Walsh.
Was a great player shame how his career sort of fizzled out
A great career Damian had. Fond memories
A true Leg-end.. Thanks for the great memories Mr Duff
Model pro and legend
Out and out professional, an example for any young player to follow. Best of luck in his future work.
Cheers Duffer enjoy the retirement
Legend
Best of luck to the future.a great player and all round nice guy.a great roll model for the kids to look up to
Did he play much for rovers?
9 appearances for them according to Wiki
So long duffer. End of an era. I feel old now !
Thank you Damien. Loved to watch you play. Have a wonderful life.!
What a wonderful footballer and it will be a while before we see his likes again. Good luck with whatever he gets up to in retirement.
Speed Touch Still Beautiful left foot Class act, and an all round decent skin Thanks for the memories Duffer
Legend
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Super player.Would have loved to see him play in a 4-3-3 format as an out and out winger.
Was a flop at chelsea
Only a flop would say that.
Was a flop at Chelsea? R u having a giggle m8!?
Obvious troll is obvious.
Brilliant player ??? Very good but never quite made it. Proof is in where he ended up playing for Shamrock Rovers.
Haha that’s a clueless statement, Duff was a fantastic player. Yes he ended up at Shamrock Rovers at the age of 35. Andrea Pirlo one of the greats now at 36 plays in America for New York City, does that mean he was not that great. He is but one of many that when coming into mid 30′s realise that they cannot meet the requirements of top level football and take a step down.
Never quite made it? Apart from those two Premierships, two League cups, an Intertoto Cup and runner up medal in the Europa League…
He’s also a current champion of the, er, ahem Nations Cup – but nobody really likes to talk about that one!
Wasnt good enough at chelsea…. was nvr a great player at all
I’m sure inside your own head this is hilarious. It’s not
Eight goals on a hundred Caps, just soak that in folks remembering the young lad that shone at Blackburn. Good luck to the Duffer for the future, but probably the most unfulfilled Irish talent ever I believe..,…!
Big thanks should be to Pat Devlin too who was integral in guiding his career and giving invaluable advice. Good luck Duffer.