Only way is up as Duff moves to the Cottage

DAMIEN DUFF is convinced he has joined a club going places after signing a three-year deal at Fulham.

The fee with Newcastle for the 30-year-old has not been disclosed, but is believed to be in the region of £4 million (€4.6m) as the north-east club come to terms with the cost of relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Having made his breakthrough under Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson when they were both at Blackburn, Republic of Ireland winger Duff believes Fulham have a squad capable of building on last season’s seventh-place finish which secured a crack at the new Europa League.

“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,” said Duff, who joined Newcastle from Chelsea during the summer of 2006.

“Fulham had a fantastic season last year and I know, having spoken to the manager in recent days, that the club’s ambitions remain high and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Hodgson’s men opened the new Barclays Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth, and will face Russian side Amkar Perm tomorrow night in the first leg of their play-off to reach the group stages of the Europa League before hosting west London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

The Fulham manager is in no doubt Duff — who became a regular under him at Ewood Park during the late 1990s — still has what it takes to make an impact in the top flight.

“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,” Hodgson said.

“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.”

Fulham are also hopeful of completing a deal for South Africa midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi, once a work permit has been rubber stamped.

With the chance of a sustained European campaign, extra numbers would seem an advantage.

However, captain Danny Murphy feels less is more.

“You can have the best manager in the world, but you can’t keep everyone happy,” the midfielder said.

“How do the young lads get their chance if you are forever building squads of 25-30 senior players?

“It is good if you have a decent small squad of some quality and young lads champing at the bit to get in as well.”

Meanwhile Mike Ashley paid a flying visit to Newcastle yesterday as the club confirmed talks with potential buyer Barry Moat are under way.

Ashley arrived at the Magpies’ Darsley Park training headquarters along with managing director Derek Llambias at around midday and spent an hour there before heading off once again.

Llambias had earlier confirmed discussions over Tyneside businessman Moat’s proposed takeover had begun in earnest.

However, it is understood those talks will only amount to anything if Moat meets Ashley’s £100 million (€117m) asking price and can produce the cash he needs to assume control.

He, or indeed either of the two consortia who remain in the running, may have to do that by the end of this week if they are to persuade the sportswear magnate not to take the club off the market once again and have another stab at attempting to drag it from the mire into which it slid under his stewardship.