8 hours ago
Derry City move 'too good to turn down', says Adam Frizzell as he opens up on emotional Airdrie exit
The midfielder is ready for a new challenge in his career after leaving the Diamonds
Airdrie hero Adam Frizzell admits he got emotional after leaving the Diamonds this week, but says the chance of playing European football with Derry City is too good to turn down.
The midfielder has called time on a four-year spell at New Broomfield after the League of Ireland Premier Division side managed to entice him overseas.
While Scottish football is preparing to kick-off for another season, the Irish League is just over the halfway point in their campaign and Derry sit fourth, aiming to land a spot in the top three to secure Europa Conference League football next term.
And that has proved too big a draw for the former Kilmarnock ace, who agreed to join Derry just days after tying the knot with wife Erin in Italy earlier this month.
The 27-year-old, who will be officially unveiled in the next 48 hours, told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "It's very bitter sweet. Reading everyone's messages after the club announced I was leaving, I am gutted about it. I was a wee bit emotional.
"It is a really close-knit, family club and one I hold close to my heart.
"Airdrie is a club I love. I have been part of the furniture for four years. I have been doing coaching as well so I have got to know a lot of the staff and fans on a personal level.
"It is really sad leaving, but this is something I can't turn down and my focus is on Derry now.
"I just got married in the summer as well so there's a lot of big changes. I got married in Italy and we went to Venice for a couple of days after it, so we'll wait until the winter break in the Irish league to go on a proper honeymoon.
"I've been trying to run off the pasta and wine for the past week, but I have been keeping myself in shape.
"I said to them I'd go and enjoy the wedding and then see what happens after that.
"When I came back, the opportunity presented itself and I had to go and challenge myself.
"Now I want to get over to Ireland, get sorted and get my head down. That is my main focus at the moment."
Derry are currently fourth in the League of Ireland, two points behind third place Bohemians, three behind Drogheda United (who have played two games more) and 14 adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers.
So Frizzell is looking forward to getting stuck straight into a new challenge and chasing a first taste of European football.
He said: "I don't think a lot of people know much about the Irish league but it is very competitive. It is packed out every week and Derry is a club on the up, looking to play in Europe.
"Derry are looking to get that second or third spot. They are halfway through the season and Shamrock have a wee gap at the moment.
"When I spoke to their manager Tiernan [Lynch], he really sold it. I am really looking forward to a new challenge.
"I just thought it was the right time for me. I am coming into what you would say are my prime years and it is something I had to jump at.
"I have left Airdrie on good terms and who knows what can happen in the future.
"But this is very exciting. I have done it the hard way to get here. After Kilmarnock I had a lot of injuries and I was on a bit of a rocky road to build myself back up.
"I am so thankful for Airdrie helping me do that. I had four great years there. We won a trophy - something the club hadn't done for a number of years - and to do that as captain was a real honour for me.
"It is no secret how much I love the club, but it is a chance for me to step up and potentially play in Europe. It is something I couldn't turn down."
