Former Celts

Airmiles O’Dea sets off on his travels again

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Darren O'DeaAfter stints in Canada and the Ukraine Darren O’Dea is off on his travels to join Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.

Since leaving Celtic the defender has clocked up the air miles as well as turning out for Reading, Ipswich, Leeds and Blackpool in the English Championship.

O’Dea ended last season at Blackpool with the club in turmoil as they were relegated with fans forcing the final match against Huddersfield to be abandoned after invading the pitch to protest at the club owners.

Mumbai are managed by Nicholas Anelka with O’Dea deciding to head into the unknown despite having offers from clubs in Scotland and England.

“I have spoken to 20 to 30 teams, but my little girl starts school this year and we’re settled up in Scotland,” he told BBC Scotland. “So moving would have been a big decision.

“It is actually only a four-month league, so I’ll go there and, although they’ll probably visit once or twice, it will leave them settled. Then, come Christmas, we will wait and see what I will do.”

O’Dea’s last stint overseas came to a halt when civil war in the Ukraine forced him to quit Metalurh Donetsk.

Stephen Pearson and a number of other British based players have spent time in India with O’Dea confident that he will be able to cope with moving to another continent.

Every team needs one marquee player to bring a bit of attention to the league and they are certainly giving it a good go, the way you will be looked after,” he added. “I’ve spoken to players who played there last year and it was fantastic.

“It is another experience and something I’m looking forward to. The contract runs until 22 December, which is the final over there, so after that I’ll have Christmas at home and from 1 January will be looking to play again, wherever that may be.”

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