The Life and times of Damien Duff

A chronological look at the career of the Republic of Ireland and Chelsea winger.

1979: Born March 2nd in Ballyboden, Co Dublin.

1996: Signs professional forms with Blackburn three days after his 17th birthday.

1997:Makes his debut for Blackburn in a 4-2 home defeat against Leicester on May 11th. Scores the winner as Ireland claim third place at the World Youth Cup in Malaysia.

1997-98: Breakthrough season as he makes 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals. Makes his full international debut in Ireland's 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic on March 25th.

1998-99: Part of the Blackburn team relegated from the Premiership, scoring just once.

1999-2000: Scores seven as Blackburn finish 11th in Division One.

2000-01: Scores only three goals as Blackburn finish second to return to the top flight, but one is in the 2-0 win at Birmingham, which ultimately proves pivotal in winning promotion.

2001: Is part of the Ireland squad that books a place in the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea with a 1-0 win over Holland on September 1st.

2001-02: Is a revelation on Blackburn's return to the elite, scoring 10 goals as they finish 10th and win the League Cup. Boosts his market value massively with some outstanding performances in the World Cup, scoring in the 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia, which secures the Republic's passage to the second round. Liverpool and Manchester United are believed to be interested as Blackburn value the player at £15m.

2002-03: Returns to domestic action with his most prolific season yet - scoring 13 goals as Blackburn finish sixth.

2003 July: Chelsea, backed by the vast wealth of new Russian owner Roman Abramovich, emerge as favourites to sign Duff.

2003 July 16th: After rejecting three offers, Blackburn finally agree a fee with the London club, believed to be in the region of £17 million, which would, under the terms of his contract, allow Duff to begin talks with Chelsea.

2003 July 21st: Signs a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge worth a reported £70,000 a week.

Top Five Transfer Fees

( involving Irish or British players)

Rio Ferdinand (2002) Leeds to Man Utd £29.1 million

Rio Ferdinand (2000) West Ham to Leeds £18 million

Damien Duff (2003) Blackburn to Chelsea £17 million

Alan Shearer (1996) Blackburn to Newcastle £15 million

Robbie Keane (2000) Coventry to Inter Milan £13 million