Damian Duff was unveiled today as a Newcastle player, ending weeks of speculation. The player suggested that he followed his heart when choosing which club to join, which led to him snubbing both Liverpool and Tottenham. However the strength of the midfield in both of those clubs could also have been a factor, for Duff it would have been a case of jumping from the frying pan in to the fire.

Duff still has the joy of European football to look forward to, however it won’t be Champions League or even the UEFA Cup both of which he could have played with Liverpool and Tottenham, instead the Republic of Ireland international will play in the Intertoto Cup.