Damien Duff set to exit Fulham in order to 'esacape the rat race'
Irish winger has been at Craven Cottage since 2009, but is keen on a move abroad as 'life's too short'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Damien Duff will end his five-year association with Fulham this summer, with the winger contemplating a move to Australia or the United States before returning home to Ireland.
After spells with Blackburn, Chelsea and Newcastle, the 35-year-old moved to Craven Cottage in August 2009 and that season helped the Whites to the Europa League final.
Duff has made 173 appearances in all for the west Londoners, although February's appearance off the bench in the FA Cup fourth-round exit to Sheffield United looks to have been his last for the club
A knee injury has brought this campaign to a premature end and, once recovered from surgery, he is planning to move in search of "something new" at the end of his contract.
"I'm up at the end of the season," Duff told the Irish Times. "The club haven't spoken to me and I haven't spoken to the club but we don't need to speak: I'll be leaving Fulham. I've had a great time here but that's football.
"I've had a few whispers from here and there but I'm just trying to get this [injury] right first.
"I've looked at the Australia or America thing for a bit, it would be a different way of life, a different league; I think life's too short just to be stuck in the rat race, if that's the right phrase, over here so I'd maybe like to taste something new before I go back home."
Duff would like to do a "year or two elsewhere" before plying his trade in the League of Ireland, with the winger admitting former Republic of Ireland team-mate Robbie Keane, now of LA Galaxy, has suggested a move to Major League Soccer.
"We've had a bit of banter all right," he said. "He obviously loves it and every six months I see he's signed a new deal so he'll be there for a good while yet.
"We'll see what happens but I wouldn't mind trying it to be fair but I have to get back fit first, I've got a screw in my knee now and a screw in the knee of a jinky winger doesn't really go hand in hand but we'll see what happens.
"We'd be up for it and we'd like to see the world but it wouldn't be for a jolly up. I'm still as hungry as ever."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments