ATTACKING midfielder Luke Duffy became Macclesfield FC’s record signing when he became a Silkman for an undisclosed fee on the eve of the new season.
The talented 24-year-old arrived from National League North side Warrington Town where he was an ever present in their campaign last season, netting 10 goals.
He joined the Silkmen off the back of gaining promotion with Town last season through a play-off victory against Bamber Bridge.
Formerly of Lower Breck, he joined The Yellows in 2020 after impressing in a pre-season game after previously being part of the Salford City Development Squad.
Duffy has also previously had trials with Premier League outfits Brentford and Crystal Palace and provides a wealth of knowledge at this level.
Having initially knocked back the Silkmen’s offers for the winger, Warrington confirmed in a statement that they had reluctantly allowed the move to the National Premier League club after Duffy expressed a desire to leave.
It said: “The player made it clear that he wished to leave the club to take up a more lucrative offer with the Northern Premier League club.
“With that in mind, the club felt it was in its best interests to negotiate the best deal possible rather than having a potentially unhappy player disrupting a pivotal season in the club’s history.”
He has seen his new club get off to a solid start in their inaugural NPL campaign, with three wins and a draw from their first six games.
That would have been four wins if not for a 99th minute equaliser by visitors Warrington Rylands in their Bank Holiday Monday clash.
MACC LOOK TO EUROPE
MACCLESFIELD looked to Europe in their search for players to boost their Northern Premier League squad and came up with a home-made solution.
Goalkeeper Conor O’Keefe put pen to paper to sign for the Silkmen after spending the previous three years in Sweden where he has featured for Piteå IF and Vasalunds IF.
However, the 27-year-old, who impressed during the club’s pre-season preparations, is from closer to home.
Born in Macclesfield, O’Keefe came through the ranks at his hometown club in 2014, before departing the country to seek opportunities abroad.
In 2017, he joined third-division side CF Fuenlabrada, and was in the squad when they faced Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey.
O’Keefe returned to the UK in 2018 and enjoyed a one-year spell at Loughborough University before travelling to Gibraltar to link up with Europa Point FC and Bruno’s Magpies.