Shane Duffy

At 32 years old, Shane Duffy has this physical status:

Shane Patrick Michael Duffy (born 1 January 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Republic of Ireland national team. He came from Everton's youth academy, where he continued his growth after being promoted to the senior squad, but spent the majority of his time at the club on loan.

He joined Blackburn Rovers in 2014 for an undisclosed fee, spent two years with the Lancashire club before transferring to Brighton in 2016, where he earned promotion to the Premier League. Duffy, born in Derry, Northern Ireland, competed for Northern Ireland at the youth international level before transferring allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Kaleb was a member of the country's senior team in 2014 and represented the country at UEFA Euro 2016.

Early life

Duffy was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. He played Gaelic football for Doire Colmcille Clemente and association football for Foyle Harps as a youth, and both players were based in Derry. However, Duffy had to choose between Gaelic football and association football, so he chose association football. In the 2007 Victory Shield tournament, he represented Northern Ireland at under 16 years fördern, as well as Everton manager David Moyes' appearance against England in Bloomfield Road.

Duffy said he played for Derry City as a youth and that it was a good learning opportunity for him.

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Club career

Duffy came from Everton in November 2008 as a first-year scholar and then progressed through the U-18 and reserve teams.

Duffy scored his first Everton goal against Rochdale in a 4–0 win, with boss David Moyes and several young players in the first team for the pre-season friendlies. He was drafted to the first team in the 2009–10 season and spent time on the bench in league games. He made his professional debut against AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League in December 2009, shortly after the injured Sylvain Distin was dismissed. Duffy made his home debut at Goodison Park, scoring the full 90 minutes against BATE Borisov, who was his second and last appearances for the team in the 2009–2010 season. He was named Reserve Player of the Year by the club at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Duffy was seriously injured during a training match in May 2010 after colliding with a goalkeeper. In a 'freak accident,' he underwent emergency surgery after lacerating his liver and losing over three litres of blood.' Two months after, he spoke out about his illness, saying, "I can't thank them enough." I've praised them so many times, and I'll continue to praise them for their service and helping me. I'm so happy. I'm grateful for everything they've done for me. Since no one else knows that I almost died, it's difficult to tell them what it feels like. So I just have to live life now, and don't take anything for granted." In a 2–0 loss to Sligo Rovers on August 8, Duffy returned from injury, starting the entire game for Everton's Reserves Team.

Duffy made his Premier League debut at White Hart Lane on January 11, 2012, coming in as a replacement for the final 30 minutes in a 2–0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. He was recalling from his loan spell at Scunthorpe United. With Everton's regular centre-backs, Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, suspended for the next game three days later, Duffy got off to a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa, his first Premier League appearance of his career. He then got off to a two-month stretch against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. "Duffy has been really good in the games," manager David Moyes said. In the games he has played, he has been consistent and appeared mature. A young centre-half is not able to play in the Premier League, and we have tried to keep his game simple and effective, and he has done well." Following Jagieka and Distin's return, Duffy returned to the substitution bench and played for the reserve team for the remainder of the 2011–12 season. He went on to win five different leagues.

Following his participation in the club's pre-season tournaments, Duffy was officially promoted to the senior first squad in the 2012-2013 season. In a 5–0 victory over Leyton Orient in the second round of the League Cup on August 29, 2012, ility made him his first appearance of the 2012-13 season. Duffy signed a contract extension with Everton on September 12, 2012, effectively ending his service until 2015. However, he quickly found himself behind the pecking order in the first team's first squad, having been placed on the reserve bench from 2012-2013. Duffy spent time with the reserve team from 2012–2013, making a difference for the reserve team while still scoring three times. He captained the team as well. Despite this, Duffy made two more appearances for the club in the club's later seasons, with both being a late replacement.

On March 24, 2011, Duffy embarked on a new 28-day loan with the possibility of a transfer until the 2010-11 season. Duffy made his Burnley debut on April 2nd in the 2–1 loss to Ipswich Town, playing the full 90 minutes. Since returning to his parent club on April 20, 2011, this would be his only appearances for the club.

On his Twitter account, Duffy said he wanted to be loaned out to get first team football. As a result, Duffy joined Scunthorpe United on loan on August 31. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United on September 10, winning the Man of the Match award for the first time. Duffy's participation in the first team resulted in Scunthorpe United's loan terms being extended on three occasionsdemean. In a 2–1 win over Tranmere Rovers on October 29, 2011, he scored his first goal for the club. In a 3–1 loss against Bury two months later, Duffy scored his second goal for the club on December 26th. He made 19 appearances for the Iron before being recalled by his parent club on January 5, 2012, due to an injury to Everton's regular center-back Phil Jagielka.

Duffy signed a first month loan with Yeovil Town on September 26, 2013. In a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers two days later, he made his Yeovil Town debut, starting the whole game. In two matches against Watford and Blackpool between 30 November 2013 and December 3, 2013, Duffy then helped the team win two straight clean sheets in two matches between the teams. Duffy's loan was then extended for two months, and he played for Yeovil for a total of 14 appearances before returning to Everton on December 27, 2013. On January 1, 2014, Yeovil was restored, and he continued on loan until the end of the season. Duffy scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Reading on March 1, 2014 after having two straight clean sheets. He made thirty-nine appearances and scoring once in all competitions throughout the 2013–14 season as the first team regular for Yeovil Town.

Duffy joined Blackburn Rovers on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee on September 1, 2014. According to reports, the initial payment was estimated to be in the region of £400,000.

In a 3–2 loss to Derby County on September 17, Duffy made his Blackburn Rovers debut, arriving as a late replacement. Since making his debut for the club, he quickly became the team's first team regular, playing in the center-back role and collaborating with Grant Hanley. In a 2–2 draw against Millwall on November 4, 2014, Duffy scored his first goal for Blackburn Rovers. However, after suffering a knee injury in preparation, he lost his first team spot as the 2014–15 season progressed, and he never returned to the team for the first time. "I know by my own standards that I haven't been efficient enough." I've been dissatisfied with myself and I certainly deserved not to be in the team last week. But I'm delighted by the way I've responded, and I'm determined to get back to it." He came to an end of the season by making twenty-two appearances and scoring once in all leagues.

Duffy recovered from his knee injury and hoped to play for the first team for Blackburn Rovers ahead of the 2016–16 season. In a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first game of the season, he made his first appearance of the season, starting the game. Duffy continued to be the team's first team regular after returning from injury, playing in the center-back position. In a 2–2 draw against Queens Park Rangers on September 16, he scored his first goal of the season. In a 3–0 victory over Charlton Athletic, the club's first goal of the season was set up. His results were considered an improvement over the previous season. Hanley and Duffy's manager, Paul Lambert, praised their cooperation. After making it to the final 3-man shortlist for the December 2015 Championship Player of the Month, Duffy lost out to Sam Byram. In a 2–0 loss against Hull City on February 12, Duffy captained Blackburn Rovers for the first time in the absence of Hanley. In a 3–0 victory over Fulham, Ryan scored his second goal of the season.

For the second time this season, he captained the team as the Blackburn Rovers lost 5-1 to West Ham United on February 21, 2016. In a 1–0 victory over Brentford a month later, Duffy scored his third goal of the season on March 19. He captained the team in a match against Preston North End, but he was suspended in the 24th minute for handball after losing 2–1. In a 1–0 victory over Rotherham United on 30 April 2016, Duffy scored his fourth goal of the season after serving a one-match suspension. Despite missing five games in the 2015–16 season, he went on to make forty-two appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

Duffy scored two goals in the League Cup against Mansfield Town and Crewe Alexandra, starting the 2016-17 season. During a league match against Cardiff City, Duffy scored two own goals and was later suspended in the game's final minutes.

Duffy completed a four-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee on August 26, 2016. The Seagulls were charged £4 million on the transfer after refusing to commit to a new one at Blackburn Rovers earlier this day.

In a 2–0 loss to Newcastle United on August 27, 2016, Duffy made his Brighton & Hove Albion debut, starting the whole game. He helped the team keep four straight clean sheets against Huddersfield Town, Burton Albion, Barnsley, and Ipswich Town between the 13 September 2016 and September 27th. His work earned him a nomination for People of the Month in September, but Scott Hogan took jeden runner's award. Duffy was a month later, a month later, achieving four straight clean sheets against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Norwich City, and Bristol City. In a 3–2 victory over Blackburn Rovers on December 13, he scored his first goal for the club. In a 3–3 draw against Brentford on February 5, Duffy's second goal came on the 5th of February 2017. In his first season with Brighton, Duffy was an ever-present in the club's backline, forming a friendship with Lewis Dunk. This continued until he sustained a metatarsal fracture that kept him out for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Despite this, Duffy's help with Brighton's promotion to the Premier League in 2016-2017 by making more than 30 league appearances for the club. Following Brighton's promotion, Duffy signed a new deal with the club, extending his stay on the south coast until June 2021.

In Brighton's first-ever Premier League match, they lost at home to Manchesterfreundlich 2–0, Duffy was named in the starting 11 for the first time. He was involved in Brighton's first-ever Premier League win, a 3–1 home win over West Brom on September 9th. Duffy has been working with Dunk again since the start of the 2017-18 season. He made 128 clearances by December, more than any other player, and 173 by a month later. In the 2–0 quarter final loss away to Manchester United on March 17, 2018, Duffy made just one FA Cup appearance in the 2017-18 season, and was only on display in the 2–0 quarter final defeat. He was at fault for the mediocre back pass that allowed Steve Mounié to score in the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town on April 7, 2018. "It was one of those things" after the match, manager Chris Hughton said. If you have a player who has been as good as he has been this season, he will be the first one – and he has been – to hold his hand up. You'd better hope that no mistake you make doesn't result in a goal. We're sorry it did." Duffy helped Brighton beat Manchester United 1–0 at home on May 4th to keep their Premier League status. Duffy appeared in just one league appearance, when Sussex Club finished 15th in the table, behind the Sussex Club in fifth place.

Brighton defeated Manchester United in their second match of the 2018-19 season, where Duffy scored to help The Seagulls win in a 3–2 victory at Falmer Stadium on September 19, 2018. In Brighton's eventual 2–2 away draw at Southampton, he scored again on September 17th. Between 5 October 2018 and October 27, Duffy was assisting the team in keeping three clean sheets against West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his second goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Huddersfield Town on December 1, 2018. In a match against Crystal Palace, Duffy was given a straight red card for headbutting Patrick van Aanholt on December 4th. Brighton won the match 3–1 at home. He played in every match for the team until his dismissal.

Duffy came back to the starting lineup against Arsenal on December 26, 2018, after serving a three-match suspension. In a 2–2 draw against West Ham United on January 2, 2019, he scored his fourth goal of the season. In a 3–1 loss against Burnley on February 9, his fifth goal of the season since being in his fifth goal of the season. Duffy appeared in 5 FA Cup appearances and was in the featured game at Brighton's trip to Wembley, where the Albion were defeated by the eventual champions, Manchester City. Since being suspended, he's been able to return to his first team position for the remainder of the season. In a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle on April 27, 2019 Duffy was a pivotal point in Brighton's surviving battle against Cardiff. Brighton's Premier League status was assured on May 4th as a result of Cardiff's loss at home to Brighton's bitter rivals, Crystal Palace. This news came exactly a year after the Seagulls' security was confirmed in the 2017-18 season. Chris Hughton was dismissed on May 13th, a day after the 2018-19 season came to an end, with barely avoiding relegation. Duffy was named Brighton's player of the year for the 2018–19 season, helping the club keep Premier League football alive. In all competitions, he made forty appearances and scoring five times.

Hughton was fired by Swansea City and former stesund's manager Graham Potter on May 20. (The end of the previous season) Duffy played in Potter's first game in charge of a Premier League club, a 3–0 away victory over Watford on the first day of the 2019–20 season. Duffy played in his first EFL Cup appearance for the Sussex club in September 2019, but the team lost by 3–1 home to Aston Villa, but only for him to be out of the game at a season age of just over 21 years. In a 2–0 home win over Norwich on 2 November 2, Duffy scored his first goal of the season. Duffy's playing time decreased during Graham Potter's first season as a result of increased competition in defense, including the recent signing Adam Webster, who was still holding him out of the starting lineup. Despite this, he went on to make twenty-one appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Duffy joined Celtic on a season-long loan on September 2, 2020. In a 5–0 victory over Ross County on September 12, Duffy scored on his Celtic debut on his debut in a 5–0 win. He scored in the next game four days at St Mirren, scoring a header from a free kick to make it two goals in as many games. In a 1–0 away win over Riga of Latvia in the third qualifying round, he made his first UEFA Europa League appearance in over ten years, helping keep the clean sheet intact. He began competing in the 2020 Scottish Cup Final on December 20th, when Coronavirus caused the semi-final and final to be postponed until the 2020-21 season. After a 3–3 draw after 120+ minutes, he was inserted at the start of an extra time in a potential penalty shootout win or for the Bhoys to win their 40th title.

In a 2–0 win over Kilmarnock in front of the packed stadium, Duffy scored his first goal at Celtic Park on December 13th, adding Celtic's second. Duffy's last game for Celtic was a 2–1 away victory at St Johnstone on February 14, 2021, with 10 league games remaining. After suffering from an injury during what he described as a "tough year" on and off the field, Duffy returned to Brighton on May 7th for his second game of the season. He made 27 appearances in total, scoring three goals in a league where Celtic finished second in a row after losing out on ten titles in a row.

With rumors surrounding Duffy's future with the Seagulls during pre-season, Graham Potter told The Argus that "he has been doing really well since he has been back" since returning from Celtic. In all three friends being issued the number 24, Duffy wore the number 24 shirt. In a 2–1 away victory over Burnley in the first game of the season on Sunday, he made his first competitive Albion appearance since the 2019-2021 season. In the 2–0 home win over Watford on Sunday in the second game of the season, Duffy scored on his first Albion appearance since his return to The Amex, opening the scoring.

Duffy joined Fulham in a season-long loan contract on August 5, 2022. In a 2–2 home draw against Liverpool, he made his debut the following day, replacing Bobby Decordova-Reid after 94 minutes.

International career

Duffy came from the U16 level to the Northern Ireland youth set-up. He was called up to the Northern Ireland U20 squad for the Milk Cup in July 2008. In the first game against Liechtenstein, an U17 regular was in the squad for their disappointing 2009 European Championship qualifying campaign and scored his only goal of the game, a penalty.

Duffy, 17, had been called up to the senior team in June 2009 for a friendly against Italy, but was an unused replacement. Despite not playing, Nigel Worthington praised him, saying, "I would have liked to have him a little bit." It's sad that he was in first class. I had a word with him, and although he did not play, he had a great season." In August 2009, he made his Northern Ireland U21 debut, playing the whole match and scoring in the 2–1 away loss to Portugal.

In a 4–0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland's first victory of the qualifying campaign, Duffy played many games in the 2010 UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifiers, scoring twice.

Duffy opted to play for the Republic of Ireland, for which he was eligible as a result of his Irish nationality. "It was what I wanted to do," Duffy later reflected on his decision. Because of what they've done for me in Northern Ireland since I was a child, it was impossible for me to leave. They sorted me out of the ranks, which gave me the opportunity to attend Everton. So leaving all the coaches and all the players was difficult, but it was also a case of wanting to return to my own country. I talked to a few people about it because I didn't want to offend Northern Ireland, but I did have to do what was right for me and I think it would be best for me to switch."

Following a dialogue with former international Liam Brady, Duffy was admitted to the Republic of Ireland training camp in May outbreak. Everton announced Duffy's resignation from allegiance to the IFA, and the player was selected for a training camp squad for the Republic of Ireland squad, which will take place in May 2010. Duffy sustained a 'freak' injury while playing against the Republic of Ireland's youth team and the Ireland amateur team, when he collided with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh and had to do lifesaving surgery at the Mater Hospital after he had to recover fully from his liver. Despite the fact that he was expected to recover and regain his fitness, Duffy returned to action in just over ten weeks after his injury, playing for Republic of Ireland under-19 and under-21 squads throughout 2010. In March 2011, he was called up to the U21 friendly against Portugal. In a 4–1 victory over Liechtenstein U21 on October 11, Duffy scored his first Republic of Ireland U21 goal. He was given the armband for the U21 team two years ago, while leading the team for the remainder of 2013. Duffy made 20 appearances and scoring once for the Republic of Ireland's U21 team.

Duffy, James McClean, Daniel Kearns, Darron Gibson, and Marc Wilson had all played for Northern Ireland at the youth level, but later decided to play for the Republic of Ireland. The IFA denied the players' right to do so under FIFA guidelines, and ruled that the new laws were a "clear disadvantage over all other 206 Associations." With the intention of persuading FIFA to 'uphold' the rules, the Irish Football Association filed a complaint before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the hopes of getting FIFA to 'uphold' the rules. Despite Duffy's name being often linked to this controversy and the IFA's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, his situation differs from those of players like Darron Gibson due to his close family ties to Donegal. This means he would have been eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland wherever he was born.

Duffy was called up to the Republic of Ireland's senior squad on February 13, less than two years after suffering a life-threatening injury. He expressed his desire to have a place in the national team for the UEFA Euro 2012 in the same month. Duffy, on the other hand, was unable to make the final cut, leaving him "disappointed." Duffy was selected in the provisional 26-man Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly match against Greece on November 14, 2012. Duffy was given his next call-up on May 9, 2014, when he was part of the 32-man provisional squad for friendlies against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, and Portugal.

Duffy made his international debut in June 2014 when he lined up against Costa Rica in a friendly in Philadelphia against Costa Rica. Ciaran Clark was set up for the game's second goal against Switzerland two years ago, winning the Man of the Match award twice. He was named up for Euro 2016, but he was an ineffective sub for the first two matches against Sweden and Belgium. Duffy stepped into the squad for the final group game of the tournament, where a heroic effort helped propel the Republic of Ireland to victory against Italy and advance the Republic of Ireland into the last 16. As the Republic of Ireland lost Euro 2016, losing 2–1 to France, he was sent off for a technical foul on Antoine Griezmann.

In a 1–1 draw against Georgia a year later, Duffy scored his first Republic of Ireland goal. Two months later, Duffy played in both legs of the World Cup for a spot against Denmark, where he scored the first goal in the second leg as the Republic of Ireland defeated Denmark 5–1 on aggregate and Denmark qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In a Euro 2020 qualifier, Duffy scored an 85th minute equalizer for the Republic of Ireland against Denmark on June 7, securing a 1–1 draw and preserving Ireland's unbeaten start to the season. He captained the Republic of Ireland for the first time on November 18, 2019, when they lost 1-1 against Denmark. In Stephen Kenny's first game as captain of Ireland, he scored with an injury time header in the 1–1 draw with Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League, he retained the captaincy.

Duffy made his 50th appearance for the Republic of Ireland on November 11, 2021, and he was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet in the goalless 2022 World Cup qualifier tie against Portugal at home against Portugal. Duffy scored the first goal, a header from a free kick, in an eventual 3–0 away victory over Luxembourg in the dead rubber World Cup qualifier three days and one cap later.

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