Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Shane Duffy says he owes Everton a “great deal” for making him “the player I am today”.
The former Blues Academy graduate, who will line up for Brighton against the Toffees in the Premier League meeting on Sunday, has become a defensive lynchpin for the south coast club since joining from Blackburn Rovers early last season.
The Republic of Ireland international moved to England when he left Foyle Harps to sign for Everton as a 16-year-old in November 2008.
Duffy made his first-team debut for the Blues as a substitute in a Europa League tie against AEK Athens in December 2009 and started two Premier League matches in the 2011/12 season – 1-1 draws against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.