Shane Patrick Michael Duffy (born 1 January 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Duffy came through the youth academy at Everton, where he completed his development after being promoted into the senior squad, spending most of his time at the club out on loan. He joined Blackburn Rovers in 2014 for an undisclosed fee, spending two years with the Lancashire club before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2016, where he earned promotion to the Premier League. He spent the 2020–21 season on loan at Celtic where he won the delayed 2020 Scottish Cup final.
Duffy played for Northern Ireland at youth international level before switching allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. Duffy made his debut for the senior side in 2014, representing the country at UEFA Euro 2016 and has gone on to earn over 60 caps to date.
Early life Duffy was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. As a youth, he played Gaelic football for Doire Colmcille CLG and association football for Foyle Harps, both based in Derry. However, Duffy had to make a choice between Gaelic football and association football, so he choose association football. He represented Northern Ireland at under 16 level in the 2007 Victory Shield tournament and impressed Everton manager David Moyes in a performance at Bloomfield Road against England.
Duffy said that he once played for Derry City as a youngster and described it as a "good experience" for him.
Club career Everton
Duffy joined Everton in November 2008 as a first-year scholar and worked his way through the U-18 and reserve teams.
Manager David Moyes named him and several young players in the first team for the pre-season friendlies and Duffy scored his first Everton goal against Rochdale in a 4–0 victory. He was promoted to the first team for the 2009–10 season and appeared on the substitute bench in league matches. At the age of 17, he made his professional debut versus AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League in December 2009, coming on for the injured Sylvain Distin. In Everton's next European fixture, Duffy made his home debut at Goodison Park, completing the full 90 minutes against BATE Borisov, making his second and last appearances for the side in the 2009–10 season. At the end of the 2009–10 season, he was awarded the club's Reserve Player of the Year.
In May 2010 Duffy was seriously injured after colliding with a goalkeeper during a training match. He had undergone emergency surgery after lacerating his liver, and losing over three litres of blood in what medical staff described as "freak accident". Two months later, he spoke out about his injury, saying: "I can't thank them enough. I've thanked them so many times and I'll thank them again for being so good at their jobs and saving me. I'm so happy. I appreciate everything they've done for me. It's hard to tell people what it feels like because no one else knows I nearly died. So I just have to live life now, and don't take anything for granted." Duffy made his return from injury, starting the whole game for Everton's Reserves Team in a 2–0 defeat against Sligo Rovers on 8 August 2010.
After being recalled from his loan spell at Scunthorpe United, Duffy made his Premier League debut at White Hart Lane on 11 January 2012, coming on as a substitute for the final 30 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. With Everton's regular centre-backs, Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, injured for the next game three days later, Duffy made the first Premier League start of his career in a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa. He then made two more starts by the end of the month, coming against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. His performance was praised by Manager David Moyes, saying: "Duffy has played really well in the games. He has been steady and looked mature in the games he has played. It is not easy for a young centre-half to play in the Premier League and we have tried to keep his game steady and simple and he has done well." Following the return of Jagieka and Distin, Duffy returned to the substitute bench and playing for the reserve side for the rest of the 2011–12 season. He went on to make five appearances in all competitions for the side.
Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Duffy was officially promoted to the senior first team following his involvement in the club's pre–season matches. He made his first appearance of the 2012–13 season, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 5–0 win against Leyton Orient in the second round of the League Cup on 29 August 2012. It was announced on 12 September 2012 that Duffy signed a contract extension with Everton, keeping him until 2015. However, he found himself behind the pecking order in the first team, being placed on the substitute bench throughout the 2012–13 season. As a result, Duffy played in the reserve team throughout the 2012–13 season, making a contribution for the reserve side, scoring three times. He also captained the side as well. Despite this, Duffy later made two more appearances for the club, both coming on as a late substitute.
Loan spells Duffy joined Burnley on loan on 24 March 2011 on an initial 28-day loan with the possibility of an extension until the end of the 2010–11 season. Duffy made his debut for Burnley on 2 April 2011 in the 2–1 defeat to Ipswich Town, playing the full 90 minutes. This turns out to be his only appearances for the club, as he returned to his parent club on 20 April 2011.
Duffy stated on his Twitter account that he wanted to be loaned out to get first team football. As a result, Duffy joined Scunthorpe United on loan on 31 August 2011. He made his debut on 10 September 2011, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United, winning the Man of the Match award. Duffy's appearance in the first team led to Scunthorpe United extending his loan spells on three occasions. It wasn't until on 29 October 2011 when he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Tranmere Rovers. Two months later on 26 December 2011, Duffy scored his second goal for the club, in a 3–1 loss against Bury. He made a total of 19 appearances for the Iron before his parent club recalled him on 5 January 2012, due to an injury to Phil Jagielka, Everton's regular centre-back.
On 26 September 2013, Duffy joined Championship club Yeovil Town on an initial month loan. He made his Yeovil Town's debut, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers two days later. Duffy then helped the side two consecutive clean sheets in two matches between 30 November 2013 and 3 December 2013 against Watford and Blackpool. Duffy's loan was eventually extended for a further two months and he made a total of 14 appearances for Yeovil before returning to Everton on 27 December 2013. He rejoined Yeovil on 1 January 2014 when the transfer window re-opened, joining on loan until the end of the season. After keeping two consecutive clean sheets once again, Duffy scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Reading on 1 March 2014. Having become a first team regular for Yeovil Town throughout the 2013–14 season, he made 39 appearances and scored once in all competitions.
Blackburn Rovers On 1 September 2014, Duffy joined Blackburn Rovers, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The initial payment was understood to be in the region of £400,000.
Duffy made his Blackburn Rovers debut, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3–2 loss against Derby County on 17 September 2014. Since making his debut for the club, he quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in the centre–back position, partnering with Grant Hanley. On 4 November 2014, Duffy scored his first goal for Blackburn Rovers, in a 2–2 draw against Millwall. However, he lost his first team place as the 2014–15 season progressed and didn't feature again after suffering a knee injury in training. Duffy acknowledged by saying: "I know by my own standards I haven't been good enough. I've been disappointed with myself and I fully deserved not to be in the team last week. But I'm pleased by the way I've reacted and I'm determined to get back in there." He went on to finish the season by making twenty–two appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Duffy managed to recover from his knee injury and expect to fight his way to the first team for Blackburn Rovers. He made his first appearance of the season, starting the game, in a 2–1 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the opening game of the season. Since returning from injury, Duffy continued to be a first team regular for the side, playing in the centre–back position. On 16 September 2015 he scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Queens Park Rangers. This was followed up by setting up the club's first goal of the game, in a 3–0 win against Charlton Athletic. His early season performances were praised in the local press, while his manager Paul Lambert publicly complimented the partnership of Hanley and Duffy. Duffy lost out to Sam Byram after making it to the final 3-man shortlist for the December 2015 Championship Player of the Month. After the absence of Hanley, Duffy captained Blackburn Rovers for the first time, in a 2–0 loss against Hull City on 12 February 2016. This was followed up by scoring his second goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against Fulham.
On 21 February 2016, he captained the side for the second time this season, as Blackburn Rovers lost 5–1 against West Ham United. A month later on 19 March 2016, Duffy scored his third goal of the season, in a 1–0 win against Brentford. In a follow–up match against Preston North End, he captained the side, only to be sent–off in the 24th minute for handball, as they lost 2–1. After serving a one match suspension, Duffy then scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 1–0 win against Rotherham United on 30 April 2016. Despite missing five matches later in the 2015–16 season, he went on to make forty–two appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2016–17 season, Duffy started the first five matches of the season, including scoring two goals in the League Cup against Mansfield Town and Crewe Alexandra. However, during a league match against Cardiff City, Duffy conceded two own goals and was later sent off in the final minutes of the game.
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 26 August 2016, Duffy signed a four-year deal with fellow Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee. Earlier the same day, it had been reported by The Mirror that the transfer cost the Seagulls a club record fee of £4 million, after turning down an extension to his contract at Blackburn Rovers.
2016–20: Established starter