Damien Duff sees profits jump as he wings it Down Under

Accumulated profits at the firm owned by former Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff jumped to €1.58m last year.

Wed, 27 May, 2015 - 01:00

Gordon Deegan

Accounts lodged by Duff’s Light Zest UK increased from £1.09m to £1.12m (€1.58m) in the 12 months to the end of August last. The Dubliner has been plying his trade in Australia over the past year after making his fortune in the Premier League in England.

The accounts cover Duff’s final year in England, where he endured the pain of relegation from the top flight with Fulham.

The former Irish international intimated, earlier this year, that he would like a move to the League of Ireland this summer. He is currently turning out for Melbourne City.

The accounts show that the 36-year-old Ballyboden man has built up a handsome cash pile during his stellar professional football career in England. Light Zest UK had a cash pile of £1.13m (€1.6m).

Duff retired from international duty in summer 2012 but remains one of Ireland’s most popular sportsmen. He competed for Ireland in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012, where he made his final appearance for his country against Italy, when he captained the side.

At the 2002 World Cup, in Japan and South Korea, Duff was voted Ireland’s player of the tournament and the winger made it to Uefa’s team of the year the same year. The following year, Duff enjoyed one of his greatest paydays during his professional career when he moved to Chelsea from Blackburn for £17m.

During his time with Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles and a League Cup under Jose Mourinho. In 2006, he moved to Newcastle United for £5m and then on to Fulham for an undisclosed fee after Newcastle’s relegation. He made his senior Irish debut in 1998 against the Czech Republic and scored eight goals in his 14-year Republic career.