A popular figure at Millwall FC since his arrival at the south London club in 2008, David Forde has made the grade in England after impressing in the League of Ireland during a productive spell with Derry City FC. He is likely to be the Republic of Ireland's third-choice goalkeeper at UEFA EURO 2012.

• A west of Ireland native, he started out with home-town club Galway United FC, making his League of Ireland bow in September 1999; left for Welsh outfit Barry Town FC in 2001 and made 16 appearances in their League of Wales title-winning campaign before landing a dream move to West Ham United FC midway through the season.

• Failed to settle in east London, however, and after brief loan periods at Derry and Barnet, he returned to Galway, who were competing in Ireland's second tier, and played so well that top-flight Derry recruited him on a permanent basis.

• Ever-present for Derry in 2005 as they finished runners-up in the League of Ireland, he helped the club to an FAI Cup triumph the following year plus another second place in the league and a first venture into Europe, keeping a clean sheet in a famous 0-0 draw at the Brandywell against Paris Saint-Germain FC after Derry had eliminated IFK Göteborg and Gretna FC to reach the UEFA Cup first round.

• Returned to Wales, signing for Cardiff City FC in December 2006, but endured a difficult period at the club, which involved loan spells at Luton Town FC and AFC Bournemouth; settled immediately, however, at Millwall, where he was a league ever-present in each of his first three seasons, winning promotion from League One to the Championship in his second campaign (after a play-off final defeat in his first).

• First capped by Ireland as a substitute in a May 2011 Nations Cup match against Northern Ireland, he made his first start a fortnight later, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 friendly success over Italy in Liege.