Former Fulham winger Damien Duff is set to join Melbourne City for Australia’s A-League next season, the club said Tuesday, in its second-high profile signing this month.
The Irishman was released by Fulham after their relegation from the Premier League in May, signed a one-year deal for the 2014/15 season.
Spanish World Cup winner David Villa was unveiled as a guest player for Melbourne City last week, becoming the first major signing by the club after they were bought by English giants Manchester City earlier this year.
Dutch head coach John van’t Schip said 35-year-old Duff, who has made 100 international appearances for Ireland, would be integral to the team.
“We’re excited to have a player of Damien’s quality and experience for this season. We believe he can offer international standard quality on the pitch and will also be a great professional example for our younger players,” van’t Schip said.
“His career speaks for itself. He has achieved almost everything at club level and has been a great player at an international level too.
“When we met with Damien, he was excited about the opportunity here and keen to work with us to help make this project a success.”
Duff has previously played for English sides Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
He won the League Cup with Rovers, lifted two Premier League titles and another League Cup with Chelsea, and played in the 2010 Uefa Europa League final with Fulham.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
