Birthplace: Ballyboden, Dublin, Ireland
Date signed: July 24, 2006
NUFC debut: August 10, 2006 v FK Ventspils (a)

Honours
FA Premier League 2004/05, 2005/06 (Chelsea); League Cup 2001/02 (Blackburn), 2004/05 (Chelsea).

International Career
67 Republic of Ireland caps, 7 goals
International Debut
1998 v Czech Republic

Damien Duff joined Newcastle United, signing a five-year contract, on 22 July 2006 from Premiership Champions Chelsea.

Damien was signed by Blackburn as a trainee from Dublin side Lourdes Celtic when he was 17 and stayed with the club for seven years, making 224 appearances and scoring 34 goals. During his time there, he helped the club achieve promotion to the Premiership in 2001 and win the League Cup the following season.

In the run-up to the 2003/04 season, Chelsea made a series of bids for Duff, with a £17m offer eventually triggering the transfer. Duff completed his move to Chelsea in July 2003, at the time being Chelsea's record signing, and there were high hopes for the Irishman.

His first season at Chelsea was hampered by injury, and crucially he missed the latter stages of the season, including the Champions League semi-finals.

Duff scored five goals that season, including a tremendous effort against Newcastle United in a 5-0 victory which particularly underlined his talent. He was also instrumental in securing Chelsea's highest league finish for 49 years as well as the Champions League run.

The arrival of Arjen Robben and new manager Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2004 posed a threat to Duff's place in the starting line-up for the 2004/2005 season, but, to Chelsea's delight, the pair formed a ferocious wing partnership.

The season proved to be successful for both Duff and Chelsea. He scored ten goals, including a crucial strike in a 4-2 win against Barcelona in the Champions League, while the team won the Premiership title and the Carling Cup (in which Duff scored what proved to be the winning goal in the semi-final against Manchester United).

Duff is now one of the most feared wingers in Europe with pace, accurate crossing and impressive finishing combined with his much improved versatility, such as an ability to play on the right-wing and as a second striker.

Duff has won 66 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring seven goals. He played at the 2002 World Cup and scored against Saudi Arabia as Ireland reached the second round. At junior level, he played for Ireland in the 1997 and 1999 FIFA World Youth Championships.

Knee and ankle injuries severely disrupted his 2006/07 campaign with the Magpies, restricting him to only 20 Premier League starts, but hopes to blossom again in 2007/08 once fit again from a long-term foot injury.