Free agent Shane Duffy back in Championship fray with Derby County

Shane Duffy has been signed by Derby. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Former Ireland defender Shane Duffy has been snapped up by Derby County to help cure the Championship outfit’s injury crisis.

The Derryman (34) has been a free agent since departing Norwich City in the summer, fuelling speculation he’d return to his hometown club in the League of Ireland.

That prospect has been shelved for now as Derby boss John Eustace, who worked with Duffy during his brief spell as assistant to ex-Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, has called upon the tall centre-back.

Duffy signs a two-month contract, having trained with them for the past two weeks, and joins the Rams as they sit 23rd in the table with just seven points from 12 games.

Six defenders, including Duffy’s compatriot Eiran Cashin, signed on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion for the season, are currently sidelined with injury.

Duffy’s 61st and last appearance for Ireland came in May 2024 when he featured in the friendly win over Hungary.

Formerly with Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham in the Premier League, he made 85 Championship appearances for the Canaries between 2023 and 2026.

He goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s meeting with Millwall.