Waterford sign Courtney Duffus

Brian,

Not a prolific goalscorer but he put the ball away on occasions. We tracked his progress through the Everton Development Academy as part of these teams, with league & cup appearances (sub) and goal stats:

Under-23s – 2016-17: 7 (10) 3 & 1 (7) 0
Under-21s – 2015-16: 5 (2) 1 & 1 (3) 4
Under-21s – 2014-15: 5 (2) 0 & 1 (2) 1
Under-21s – 2013-14: 4 (11) 0 & 1 (1) 0
Under-21s – 2012-13: 2 (3) 0

Before that, he was part of the Under-18s/Under-19s along with his brother, Tyronne Duffus. Neither of them made the grade at Premier League level, like so many other players who come through the system.

Many thanks, Michael, for all that info. Will be interesting to see how he performs at League of Ireland level.

Still a young lad so here's hoping he can score a few and keep Waterford in the division.

Hi Brian, I've little to add to the stats except a couple of things; Courtney Duffus was a pretty standard academy striker who had his prolific and lean spells with the reserves until he got a very serious knee injury which, as always, stifled his development.

The club kept him on as it has been shown to do with several youngsters and even though he had no realistic prospect of first team football, he was able to rehabilitate and play for the reserves and Oldham on loan.

Perhaps because of this humbling experience, perhaps just because of the way he was raised but Courtney always struck me as being a very good egg. I hope he'll be a credit to Waterford whilst he is there and who knows, he is half-Irish so maybe that'll settle him in well.

Peter, many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Duffus made his debut for Waterford tonight and made a good impression, including an assist for the Blues second goal in a 2-0 home win over St Pats.

Good for him.

I watched him last season for he U23s and, while it was obvious he didn't have Premier League potential, he was big, strong and fast.

His main problem for me was that he didn't seem to have awareness of his teammates and was somewhat a head down type of player.

Very odd that he's ended up there, Brian – we rejected a bid from Brighton for him in January 2017.

Good luck to him though, maybe he can get some confidence and end up back in England at some point.

When I saw him, he was big (for his age), strong and quick. I imagine that he has filled out some and maybe slowed down a little.

Not a great technically gifted player, but worked hard, tried hard, and seemed very popular with the other players and staff. I would expect him to be a standout player in Ireland.

Very happy to report that tonight, Duffus scored a last minute winner for Waterford against Sligo Rovers to send the Blues joint top of the table.

Long may it continue...

The goals keep coming for Duffus. A peach against Bohs last week to help Waterford to all 3 points and he was fantastic again last night as Waterford went joint top beating Dundalk 2-1

He has been a super signing for Waterford, just hope his loan spell is extended

http://www.the42.ie/courtney-duffus-interview-may-2018-3990287-May2018/

I thought he was a free transfer? Is it in fact a loan? As good as he's been, surely you don't see any way back to Everton and the first team do you?

Hi Steve, He is on loan from Oldham until the end of June.

I don't see him ever being a English Premier League player but he has shown he will score plenty of goals in Irish football which I would compare to League One.
Might be a blessing in disguise for Waterford if Oldham get relegated as he might fancy staying in Ireland and possibly getting European football