Celtic have announced the year-long loan acquisition of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Irish international defender Shane Duffy. A report by the Scottish Sun on this regard has suggested that the defender put in a personal plea to Brighton to overlook the £10m asking price and permit the move to Parkhead, as it is claimed to be his dream switch. The reigning Scottish champions have been touted to be paying less than £2m as the loan fee, while they’re expected to cover around £25,000 of his £45,000 weekly wage.
Although Celtic have secured a loan deal for Brighton’s Shane Duffy, the Seagulls have reportedly taken a financial hit after being forced out of potentially better-rewarding moves for the defender. The Scottish Sun claims that West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion were both keen on the 28-year-old’s signature, but that the Irishman’s personal interference is what has tipped the scales in the Hoops’ favour. Duffy shares a good relationship with Brighton CEO Paul Barber, and the Seagulls are said to have agreed to make this Celtic move happen as a sign of goodwill for the stellar service that the defender has provided them over the last four years.
What Is Shane Duffy’s Legacy As A Footballer?
The 28-year-old defender was identified as a potential talent quite early in his career, as he was signed up by Premier League giants Everton back in the summer of 2008. After loan spells at Burnley, Scunthorpe United and Yeovil Town, the Irishman made the permanent switch to Blackburn Rovers in 2014. After two reasonably successful years with the Rovers, it was in the summer of 2016 that the defender finally arrived at Brighton. Having started his Seagulls career strongly, Duffy quickly went on to become a regular in the first-team.
Not only did he help them achieve promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the club, but he scored two goals in the Championship along the way as well. Having been a regular in the team for the next two seasons after coming up, it wasn’t until the last term that the Irishman was gradually eased out of the first-team picture.
After making 37 and 35 appearances in the 17/18 and 18/19 campaigns respectively, his numbers for the Seagulls during the last year were limited, to say the least. The likes of Dan Burn and Adam Webster were preferred in the role, and Duffy’s influence dwindled.
What Makes Shane Duffy A Good Option For Celtic?
The big defender has been around the Premier League scene for the last four years now, which means that he is more than well-equipped to deal with the pressures of playing in such a competitive division. The gritty and aggressive nature of the Premiership will not be anything new to the Irishman, who has dealt with some of the best strikers in the English top-flight during his time as a Brighton player. A strong header of the ball, not only is Duffy dominant against aerial crosses played into the defensive third, but he also offers a certain degree of attacking potential.
Celtic Have Secured A Loan Deal For Brighton’s Shane Duffy: A Smart Move?
Although Duffy’s recent first-team struggles could be perceived as a lack of quality, it’s worth conceding that it has mostly been down to the amount of depth available in the Brighton roster. The summer acquisition of Joël Veltman has added further experience to the Seagulls’ back-line, while the return of Ben White from his loan spell at Leeds will come as a breath of fresh air.
Duffy, therefore, is undoubtedly surplus to requirements at the Amex Stadium right now. The Celts’ need for a new defender has been no secret, and given the predicament that the former Everton man finds himself in, this move must be classed as a no-brainer from a Parkhead perspective.
