MICHAEL DUFFY says he hopes to rediscover his joy for football after completing a move to League of Ireland champions Dundalk from Celtic.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Dundee, scoring once in 13 appearances for Paul Hartley's side, and departs Parkhead after two years at the club in which he failed to make a single appearance for the first team.
Duffy, who was called into the Northern Ireland senior squad by Michael O'Neill last year, joins Dundalk soon after their historic run to the group stages of the Europa League.
He explained to the club's official website that the prospect of playing week in week out and experiencing European football played a big part in his decision.
He said: “I’m buzzing to join Dundalk. I’m just happy now that it has finally got done. I enjoyed my two years in Scotland.
"I have some good memories of it; I played in some big games and made a good lot of friends. It just didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I still enjoyed.
“I’ve seen how well Stephen and Dundalk have been doing over the past few years. Speaking to him and listening to his plans with me, I really wanted to come here.
"I followed Dundalk and watched all their games in Europe and saw how well they were doing. They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group stages, so I’m hoping they can go on the same run again this year.
“Personally, I’m just hoping to get back to playing week in, week out and enjoying football again. I want to get back to scoring goals and have a good season, and hope that Dundalk have a successful season.”
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