Former Ireland winger Damien Duff has announced his retirement from football.
The ex-Chelsea, Blackburn, Newcastle and Fulham player had joined League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers during the summer after a spell with Australian club Melbourne City, and made appearances at the tail end of the domestic season.
But in a statement, the 36-year-old has decided to call time on a career which yielded 100 Ireland caps between 1998 and 2012:
"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.
Damien Duff in 1998 © Lorraine O'Sullivan/INPHO
"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.
Blackburn Rovers' Damien Duff celebrates the equalizing goals against Wolves in 2000 Picture by: Jed Leicester / EMPICS Sport
"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."
He and his former Ireland team-mate Robbie Keane have just been taking part in a course as they look to complete their coaching badges.
Barry Quinn gives Damien Duff a hair cut in '99 World Youth Cup ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Duff joined Blackburn Rovers in 1996, making his debut as an 18-year-old in the 1996-97 season, while he also enjoyed underage success with Ireland's youth teams at major tournaments in the 1990s.
He went on to represent the Boys in Green at the 2002 World Cup in Japan where he scored against Saudi Arabia in the group stages and followed it up with an appropriate celebration:
Duff was also part of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side, joining under Claudio Ranieri in 2003 and winning the Premier League in 2005 and 2006, before departing for Newcastle United.
Chelsea's Damien Duff, right, and Arjen Robben hold up the English Premiership trophy at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground in London, Saturday May 7, 2005. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
He also reached the Europa League final with Fulham in 2010, before ending his international career with a final major tournament outing at Euro 2012.
Spain's Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa challenge Damien Duff at Euro 2012 ©INPHO/James Crombie
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