Source: Telegraph
Fulham sign Newcastle winger Damien Duff for undisclosed fee
The winger's future has been the topic of speculation since Newcastle were relegated at the end of last season, and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is confident the 30-year-old, who was ravaged by injuries throughout his career at St James' Park, will hit the ground running at Craven Cottage in a bid to prove he is still worthy of a place should the Republic of Ireland qualify for next summer's World Cup.
"I am delighted to add a player of Damien Duff's calibre to our squad, and welcome the further midfield options he provides us with," said Hodgson. "I have known Damien for over a decade since he broke into the first team at Blackburn when I was manager, so I am fully aware of his qualities and I am looking forward to working with him again.
"He's a left-sided player, he will bring experience, quality, left-sidedness, his enormous talent and a bit of ambition. I don't think he had a great time up in Newcastle, he's looking forward to coming back south again, and I think he'll be looking forward to having a good season.
"With the World Cup coming up, Ireland have a serious chance of getting there, so he will be burning to do well.
"He wasn't interested, I don't think, in going to other clubs, it was the fact that we showed an interest that really enticed him."
Duff joined Newcastle from Chelsea during the summer of 2006, and went on to play 86 times, scoring six goals, the last of which came in the club's Championship season-opener at West Brom earlier this month.
Relishing the opportunity to return to the Premier League, Duff said: "I am happy that my move to Fulham has been completed and look forward to joining in with the rest of the squad's training programme immediately in preparation for two important home matches this week.
"Fulham had a fantastic season last year and I know that having spoken to the manager in recent days that the club's ambitions remain high and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Fulham finished seventh last season, qualifying for Europe and opened the new campaign with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
Hodgson is also hopeful of completing a deal for South Africa midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi, once a work permit has been rubber stamped.
