Updated at 1310
SHANE DUFFY HASN’T had the best start to the Championship season with Blackburn but that didn’t put off potential suitors.
He’s now put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Chris Hughton’s Brighton and will become the club’s record signing for a reported fee of £4.5m.
The 24-year-old has played five times for Rovers this season, has managed to score three own goals and pick up a red card too.
But, he’s also found scored twice at the right end and popped up with an extra-time winner in a 4-3 League Cup victory over Crewe earlier this week.
In actual fact, Duffy has been a remarkably consistent performer for Blackburn since joining from Everton in 2014. His form at Ewood Park led him to making some crucial progress with the Irish senior side and he featured twice at Euro 2016, memorably delivering an excellent display in the win over Italy before picking up a red card in the round of 16 defeat to France.
Still, he ranked as one of the better centre-backs at the tournament, impressing in the air particularly.
Brighton certainly need some defensive reinforcement after a spate of injuries though they’ve started well this season and sit in second place in the table after four games.
Duffy could feature in tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Blackburn have made a move for Irish underage international Tommie Hoban.
The 22-year-old started for Watford in their League Cup loss to Gillingham on Tuesday but he remains on the fringes at Vicarage Road after missing the majority of last season through injury.
He joins Owen Coyle’s side on a season-long loan but Blackburn have signed another Irish underage international too.
Derrick Williams had been at Bristol City since 2013 after beginning his career in England with Aston Villa.
The defender, who was born in Germany to an Irish mother and American father and who grew up in Waterford, was also unveiled this afternoon.
Both could be involved in Blackburn’s clash with Fulham tomorrow.
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