Damien Delaney looking forward to Champions League after joining Cork City

FORMER Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney has joined Cork City FC until the conclusion of the 2019 season.

The 36-year-old – capped nine times by the Republic of Ireland – will join up with the squad for training next week, and will be eligible to play from July 1st, once international clearance has been received.

The defender re-joins the club following a long spell in England, where he most recently played with Premier League side Crystal Palace.

‘Excited would be the word. I am really excited by what Cork City are doing and the direction the club is going in. Speaking to John, he is obviously very enthusiastic, I know he does things the right way and is driving forward, so that is something I want to be part of,’ Delaney said.

‘Playing in Europe was part of the draw for me. It will be nice to play Champions League football! It is all part of this club moving forward and that is what I want to be here for. Hopefully there will be some good nights at Turner’s Cross for the fans and for the club in general.

‘First and foremost, I am a football player and I want to be playing football. I still have a lot left in me. Last year was the first year where I didn’t play regularly, and it wasn’t an experience I particularly enjoyed, but that’s just the way of the world. I keep myself fit, I love training and I am ready to go.’

BREAKING | We are delighted to announce the signing of Damien Delaney! The defender joins the club after leaving @CPFC and has signed until the end of the 2019 season. Read more: https://t.co/dPt96024t0 #CCFC84 pic.twitter.com/hxkgxsGBHc

— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) June 8, 2018

City boss John Caulfield hailed Delaney’s arrival, commenting: ‘It is fantastic news. Damien indicated a long time ago that he would love to come back and play his last number of years with the club.

‘He was part of the FAI Youth Cup winning team here at Cork City and broke into the first team as I was coming to the end of my playing career. ‘He went across the water to Leicester City then, and had spells at Hull City, QPR, Ipswich Town and then Crystal Palace.

‘He has finished his time in England playing with Crystal Palace in the Premier League, so to get a player of that quality coming home, a Cork lad, he will have a massive input.’