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Football

13th Jul 2015

One of the most well-travelled Irishmen in football is off to play for Nic Anelka in India

Will Slattery

Darren O’Dea must have plenty of stamps on his passport.

Since leaving Celtic in 2012, the Dublin defender has played seasons in Toronto and Ukraine and he is taking another leap of faith this summer. Nicolas Anelka was recently confirmed as the player-manager of Mumbai City and O’Dea will play under the Frenchman.

However, the league only last four months so O’Dea will need to find himself another club before Christmas.

“It will be a new experience, a new chapter,” he told BBC Scotland.

“I am well-travelled as it is and it’s something I’m looking forward to. The contract runs until 22 December, which is the final over there, so after that I’ll have Christmas at home and from 1 January will be looking to play again, wherever that may be.”

O’Dea first came to prominence in 2007 with a strong performance in the Champions League last 16 against AC Milan at the San Siro while with Celtic.

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