Just over five months after signing for Shamrock Rovers, Damien Duff has announced his retirement from football.
In a statement, the 36-year-old said that his heart was still in the game but his body could no longer continue.
After much deliberation, I have today decided to bring my professional football career to an end.
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 & Shamrock Rovers F.C. for giving me the opportunity to finish my career back home - they have some exciting plans for the club for the future & 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.
Duffer
In a professional career that lasted 20 years, Duff played for Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle, Fulham, Melbourne City and finally Shamrock Rovers.
He also won 100 caps for Ireland.
Joining Shamrock Rovers in July - after his season in the A-League with Melbourne was cut short due to injury - he would make his League of Ireland debut against Cork City in August.
Duff told The Sunday Times back in August that 'every penny' he earned while at Shamrock Rovers would be donated to charity.
