O’Dea claims money was the sole motivation for joining Donetsk

Republic of Ireland international central defender Darren O’Dea has admitted his decision to leave Toronto FC for the Ukrainian side Metallurg Donetsk came down to one thing — money.

O’Dea was keen to agree a new contract with Toronto but that would have meant taking a hefty 50% pay cut.

He now has inked a lucrative three year deal with Metallurg but revealed leaving Canada was tough as he had settled well there with his family following his departure from Celtic last summer and was keen to stay.