Duffy set to go on loan?

The highly rated young player revealed the news about his new deal yesterday on twitter, posting “Delighted to have signed a new contract at everton for another 3 years”.

Toffees’ fans on the social networking site welcomed the new deal for the towering central defender, who also plays for the Republic of Ireland’s U-21s.

His father Brian today told BBC Radio Foyle in Londonderry that the 20-year-old was set to be loaned out again by manager, David Moyes.

Although he mentioned no names, he suggested a number of clubs in the Championship were seeking his son’s services.

The Sentinel understands that one of those sides is Middlesbrough.

The Everton centre-back had successful loan spells with Burnley and Scunthorpe last year and Moyes will hope he gains further experience this term.Everton’s website says the centre back “made a big sacrifice to join Everton’s Academy system”.

It adds: “Then a highly-regarded 16-year-old, he left his home in Northern Ireland in November 2008 in order to follow his dream. He has reaped the rewards ever since and was offered a place as a first-year scholar in the summer of 2008.”

Duffy made a quick impact at Everton, being called into European action and making his debut in 2009 as a replacement for Sylvain Distin during a 1-0 win against AEK Athens in Greece.

His rise saw him called into the Republic of Ireland’s senior squad, but suddenly his career took a turn for the worse, when during his first training session with the RoI squad, he suffered alife-threatening injury.

Duffy suffered a severed artery near his liver and required an emergency operation. At one point there was 3.6 litres of blood in his abdomen.

He bravely took the field again, in August 2010 playing a friendly for the reserves against Sligo Rovers, Seamus Coleman’s former team before his transfer to Everton. Former colleagues at Everton joined the club officials in welcoming the new deal.

Jose Baxter tweeted: “Congratulations big man. Deserve it” while James Wallace echoed;“congratulations big man”.

As well as Coleman, from Donegal, Duffy forms one third of a North West trio at Goodison Park. Fellow Londonderry man Darron Gibson is also making a major impact at Everton.