Listen to the full interview via the podcast
Damien Duff might be leaving the bright lights of the Premier League behind, but at least there is far more sunshine and barbecue opportunities where he is going.
The former Ireland winger announced a move to Manchester City-owned Australian top flight side Melbourne City on a one-year contract today and tonight he joined us on the line to explain why he has chosen an offer from Down Under after leaving Fulham.
"I met the Melbourne manager John van t'Schip two or three weeks ago and he was a great guy. It was the whole project really that excited me and it didn't take much for me to get on board," said the player who amassed a century of caps in the green shirt of Ireland and spoke about his excitement at lining up alongside Spain international David Villa at Melbourne.
Adding that "life is too short", Duff admitted that he had been thinking about leaving English football over the past year or two in order to try something new, even though he could still cope with the rigours of Premier League football at the age of 35.
He still has plans to continue as a winger and also reminisced about playing as a second striker at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored against Saudi Arabia and made a famous goal celebration.
"[That World Cup] probably got overshadowed by what went on before. But it didn't bother us at the time. We enjoyed it and they were great games to be involved in. But 12 years on, I'm still disappointed to not have gone further," said Duff, who also reiterated that he would like to return to Ireland and play domestically.
Listen to the full interview via the podcast.
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