Duff on verge of Hoops move

SHAMROCK Rovers are close to sealing a deal to sign Damien Duff for the last four months of the League of Ireland season, writes Aidan Fitzmaurice.

Duff, a free agent since he opted to leave Melbourne City in May, has now moved back to Ireland and the 36-year-old is keen to see out his career in the League of Ireland.

"I want to play in the League of Ireland, it's on the bucket list. And I like ticking things off the bucket list so that's the plan," he said earlier this summer. A number of clubs had expressed an interest in signing the former international but Rovers are now closest to agreeing terms.

Last month, Hoops boss Pat Fenlon said he was not in a position to sign players as "we don't have any money, it's as simple as that" and said he would sign Duff "if he plays for nothing".

Duff is still recovering from the ankle injury which ended his season in Australia prematurely and he would no be fit to line out for any club until next month - the season finishes in October - but a move to Rovers would allow him step up his recovery with the club's medical team.

If a deal for Duff can be brought over the line, Rovers would be able to field three ex-internationals in their midfeld as Stephen McPhail and Keith Fahey are already on board.

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