Cork City sign former international Damien Delaney from Crystal Palace

Former Republic of Ireland defender Damien Delaney has signed for champions Cork City after leaving English Premier League side Crystal Palace.

The 36-year-old has put his signature to an 18-month deal that will take him through to the end of the 2019 season, when he will be 38.

Cork native Delaney has spent the past six years with South London side Palace, five of which have been spent in the Premier League.

Delaney pointed to the prospect of playing in Europe with the Rebel Army as a major point of attraction, having never played at level in his time in England.

“Playing in Europe was part of the draw for me,” Delaney told the club's official website.

“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.

“I always watched from a distance, to see the results on a Friday night. Doing the double last year was a great achievement and I am looking forward to being part of something that is moving forward.

“Rather than stagnating or going to a club for the sake of it, I think this club is really going forward and I want to be part of it. That’s why I chose to come here.”

“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.”

The defender has been capped nine times in total by his country, his last international appearance coming in his only competitive game, a 3-0 defeat in Germany under Noel King in 2013.

Delaney, who began his career with City, spent time with Leicester City, Hull City, Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town before joining the Eagles in 2012.