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Melbourne City sign Damien Duff

Damien Duff helped Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles in the mid 2000's.

Former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Damien Duff has signed for Melbourne City.

The left-winger, 35, who has won exactly 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has signed for the Manchester City-owned franchise for the 2014/15 season.

And reports say Duff has signed a one-year deal under the club’s $2.55 million salary cap, which means Melbourne can still sign a world-renowned superstar to be paid outside the cap.

“His career speaks for itself,” Melbourne coach John van 't Schip said.

“He has achieved almost everything at club level and has been a great player at an international level too.

“He comes to us straight from the English Premier League with Fulham, so he has been playing at the highest level against top teams and top players.”

Duff, who helped Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho in 2004-05 and 2005-2006, was released by relegated Fulham last month after five years.

He also won two League Cup winner's medals, with Blackburn in 2001-02 and Chelsea in 2004-05, and helped Ireland reach the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup, where they lost to Spain on penalties.

Melbourne City, who finished bottom of the A-League last season, are $6.50 third favourites to win the title next season on the back of signing Duff and their 10-game "guest" signing of Spanish star David Villa.