Damien Duff has hung up his boots.
The 36 year old called time today on a illustrious 20 year career that saw him win two Premier League titles with Chelsea, win 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland and play a starring role at the 2002 World Cup.
Duff had spent the past few months at Shamrock Rovers, where he chose to donate his wages to charity, and will be remembered as one the best footballers to have played for Ireland.
Here’s how Twitter paid tribute to the Dubliner, who released a typically classy statement to announce his retirement.
Damien Duff has today announced his retirement from professional football. What an ambassador for the game. #Duffer pic.twitter.com/RBlGTlYQmH
— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) December 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/Sports_Hangout/status/678991378098102272
https://twitter.com/FourFourTweet/status/678990902249963520
All the best to Damien Duff on his retirement pic.twitter.com/83giv5wiaX
— Ben (@BenFulham) December 21, 2015
Damien Duff vs Spain in '02. Outstanding. https://t.co/hToefXg3su
— Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) December 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/KieranMal/status/678989737298915328
I was always gutted we never got to sign Damien Duff. Man put him in my FIFA team and everything 😔
— 2 more months of Jurgen Klopp ❤️ (@feeFahifofum) December 21, 2015
Wishing Duffer the best. A true Irish superstar who set the bar so high no Irish winger may ever reach it. World class on & off the pitch
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) December 21, 2015
20 Years and 100 Irish caps later, the legend that is Damien Duff has hung up his boots for the last time! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/KRDAZhNJV4
— #COYBIG (@COYBIG) December 21, 2015
Damien Duff has retired. Worth checking out interview with him in Second Captains annual. One of his most revealing.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) December 21, 2015
Sad news about Damien Duff retiring. One of our best ever players. Delighted to see him playing a few games in our league too. #Duffer
— Ross Zambra (@TheKingOfPing) December 21, 2015
Best of luck to Damien Duff in retirement and what ever he decides to do in the future… One of the best players to wear the green jersey!
— Brian Slevin (@brianslevin123) December 21, 2015
He lived behind me growing up but always remember Damien Duff summer of '02 World Cup asking my mates and I could he join in our 5 a side.
— Pearse Corcoran (@pearsecorcoran) December 21, 2015
He gave me an accidental whack and winded me, he came down to my house after to apologise. I was only 12 at the time. Top bloke.
— Pearse Corcoran (@pearsecorcoran) December 21, 2015
For many years all great things in green came through Damien Duff. Superb player in his heyday, all the best in retirement. #COYBIG
— Alliv Notsa (@GRtweets7) December 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/taigstaigs/status/678993615264292865
