United have confirmed to the stock exchange that they have paid just £5m to Chelsea for Republic Of Ireland winger ... and NOT the reported £10m that was published in the national newspapers.
NUFC:"The Directors of Newcastle United PLC are pleased to announce that Damien Duff passed his medical and his transfer from Chelsea Football Club has been completed for a fee of £5m.
The player has agreed personal terms and signed a 5 year contract ending in June 2011."
This means Chelsea have suffered a £12m loss on Duff who they bought from Blackburn Rovers for £17m in 2003. And with Hugo Viana the latest to go for a fraction of his value, it is a pleasant change to pick up a star for the bargain bin.