50 Facts About Shane Duffy

Shane Patrick Michael Duffy was born on 1 January 1992 and is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Shane Duffy played for Northern Ireland at youth international level before switching allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Shane Duffy made his debut for the senior side in 2014, representing the country at UEFA Euro 2016 and gone on to make 51 caps to date.

However, Shane Duffy had to make a choice between Gaelic football and association football, so he choose association football.

Shane Duffy 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.

Shane Duffy said that he once played for Derry City as a youngster and described it as a good experience for him.

Shane Duffy joined Everton in November 2008 as a first-year scholar and worked his way through the U-18 and reserve teams.

In May 2010 Shane Duffy was seriously injured after colliding with a goalkeeper during a training match.

Shane Duffy had undergone emergency surgery after lacerating his liver, and losing over three litres of blood in what medical staff described as 'freak accident'.

Shane Duffy then made two more starts by the end of the month, coming against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham.

Shane Duffy has been steady and looked mature in the games he has played.

Shane Duffy went on to make five appearances in all competitions for the side.

Shane Duffy stated on his Twitter account that he wanted to be loaned out to get first team football.

Shane Duffy 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, Shane Duffy joined Championship club Yeovil Town on an initial month loan.

Shane Duffy then helped the side two consecutive clean sheets in two matches between 30 November 2013 and 3 December 2013 against Watford and Blackpool.

Shane 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.

Shane Duffy rejoined Yeovil on 1 January 2014 when the transfer window re-opened, joining on loan until the end of the season.

On 1 September 2014, Shane Duffy joined Blackburn Rovers, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Shane Duffy's performance was considered an improvement on the previous season.

Shane Duffy lost out to Sam Byram after making it to the final 3-man shortlist for the December 2015 Championship Player of the Month.

However, during a league match against Cardiff City, Shane Duffy scored 2 own goals and was later sent off in the final minutes of the game.

Shane Duffy helped the side keep four consecutive clean sheets between 13 September 2016 and 27 September 2016 against Huddersfield Town, Burton Albion, Barnsley and Ipswich Town.

Shane Duffy was an ever-present in Brighton's backline in his first season at the club, forming a partnership with Lewis Dunk.

Shane Duffy played in all but one league appearance where the Sussex Club finished 15th in the table.

Shane Duffy helped the side keep three consecutive clean sheets between 5 October 2018 and 27 October 2018 against West Ham United, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Shane Duffy played in 5 FA Cup appearances and was featured game at Brighton's trip to Wembley, where The Albion made the Semi-final in which they were knocked out by the eventual champions, Manchester City.

On 2 September 2020, Shane Duffy joined Celtic on a season-long loan.

Shane Duffy scored in the next game four days later away at St Mirren, scoring a header from a free kick to make it two goals in as many games.

Shane Duffy made 27 appearances overall, scoring three goals where Celtic finished as league runners-up missing out on 10 titles in a row.

Shane Duffy made an appearance in all three friendlies being assigned to the number 24 shirt.

On 5 August 2022, Shane Duffy joined newly promoted Premier League club Fulham on a season-long loan deal from Brighton.

On 1 February 2023, Shane Duffy's move to Fulham was made permanent.

Shane Duffy was part of the Northern Ireland youth set-up from the U16 level upward.

Aged 17, Shane Duffy was called up to the senior team in June 2009 for a friendly against Italy but was an unused substitute.

Shane Duffy opted to play for the Republic of Ireland, for which he was eligible through his Irish nationality.

At the camp Shane Duffy suffered a 'freak' injury, during a match between the Republic of Ireland development squad and the Ireland amateur side, when he collided with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh and had to undergo lifesaving surgery at the Mater Hospital after damaging his liver and was discharged six days later after making a full recovery.

Shane Duffy was called up for the U21 friendly versus Portugal in March 2011.

Shane Duffy went on to make twenty appearances and scoring once for the Republic of Ireland U21 side.

On 13 February 2012, less than two years after sustaining a life-threatening injury, Shane Duffy received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad, replacing the injured Richard Dunne.

Shane Duffy failed to make the final cut, which left him "disappointed".

On 1 November 2012, Shane Duffy was named in the provisional 26-man Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly fixture against Greece on 14 November 2012.

Shane Duffy received his next call-up on 9 May 2014 when he was included in the 32-man provisional squad ahead of friendlies against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal.

Shane Duffy had his international debut in June 2014 lining up against Costa Rica in a friendly in Philadelphia.

Shane Duffy was called up for Euro 2016, but was an unused sub for the first two matches against Sweden and Belgium.

Shane Duffy made his 50th appearance for the Republic of Ireland on 11 November 2021, helping keep a clean sheet in the goalless 2022 World Cup qualifier tie at home against Portugal.

Shane Duffy said he's close friends with former teammate, Darron Gibson.

Shane Duffy attended a St Anne's school in Ireland, and supported Celtic growing up.

Shane Duffy once ranked Wigan Athletic's supporters as "the worst fans in England" and compared the atmosphere at the DW Stadium's atmosphere to a "library".

Shane Duffy previously suffered a family bereavement that saw him miss a match during his playing career.