MICHAEL Duffy is returing to Derry City.
In a statement, the club said: “Derry City FC is delighted to announce that Michael Duffy has signed a pre-contract which will see him return to the club at the end of the current campaign.
“Michael has agreed a 4-year deal and we look forward to welcoming him back for the start of the 2022 season.”
It’s understood the player informed Dundalk boss Vinny Perth of his decision last week and will make a return to his hometown club where it all began once his current deal with the Lilywhites expires.
The 27 year-old Galliagh man made 78 appearances and scored 20 goals for his hometown club prior to making his move to Celtic in 2014.
Duffy, who has turned down approaches from several English League One teams, is understood to have taken a significant pay-cut to join the Brandywell club and was keen to work under City boss Ruaidhri Higgins once again.
Indeed, his relationship with Higgins was a defining factor in his move back to Foyleside seven years after initially departing for Glasgow.
Higgins doesn’t want Duffy’s return to be a distraction to the current campaign.
The Candystripes travel to Tallaght tomorrow, Friday, October 1, to face champions Shamrock Rovers hoping for three points to boost their chances of European football next season.
City are unbeaten in seven league games and are just three points off behind Sligo Rovers in third place, with Bohs four points further behind with a game in hand.
But there will be no City fans in Dublin for the Rovers match.
There are 4,000 fans allowed for the match but Shamrock have not allocated any tickets for away fans, much to the anger of Derry City supporters.
As Derry Daily reported earlier this week, fans have urged their club to reciprocate the “disgraceful” decision and not Rovers’ fans into the Brandywell in future games.
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