Making his Foxes debut against York City in the FA Cup, Damien went on to make eight Premiership appearances for Leicester. He gained further senior experience in 2001-02 with loan spells at Stockport County and Huddersfield Town. A further loan at Mansfield Town ended with his move to the Tigers.

Damien became the last Tiger to score at Boothferry Park. It was his first goal for City and his cross-cum-shot proved to be the winner against Boston United.

After a difficult first season when he was often used in a less familiar midfield role, Damien won over the doubters with a superb 2003-04. He was the only ever-present in the Tigers' promotion campaign - missing only the second-half of the visit to Mansfield Town following a clash of heads.

Personal highlights included captaining the team at Kidderminster Harriers and winning wonder goals against Rochdale and Bristol Rovers (the former voted City's Goal of the Season while the latter disproved his earlier nickname of 'Jigsaw' because he went to pieces in the box!).

To no one's surprise, Damien won the club's Player of the Year award, the Players' Player award and the supporters' Player of the Year prize.

His consistent form continued throughout our second successive promotion campaign when he formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Leon Cort. The genial Irishman missed only three games in City's League One campaign as he underwent keyhole surgery to a knee injury in September.

Damien's importance to the Tigers cause meant he became the only player to be involved in some part of every game in City's first Championship season.

As well as his familiar centre-back partnership with Leon, injuries to his colleagues saw also fill-in to good effect in centre midfield and at left back. 

Damien's contract was extended to June 2009 in June 2006.