SHANE DUFFY has brushed off his record price tag and set his sights on promotion with Albion.

The Seagulls smashed their transfer record by splashing out around £3.5 million on the Republic of Ireland central defender from Blackburn Rovers.

Duffy told The Argus: “I didn’t even ask. I got told a fee has been agreed, get yourself to Brighton. I didn’t even know until I read it on the internet.

“There’s nothing I can do about it. It wasn’t me, it was Blackburn. It doesn’t matter. I just want to play well and get out of this league with Brighton.

“It’s the way the market is going at the moment.

“It’s outrageous really but it’s a compliment, nice.

“I’ve got to back it up and perform and progress, always do better every day. That’s my aim.”

Duffy makes his fifth appearance for Albion against Barnsley at the Amex tomorrow.

They wanted to sign the 24-year-old sooner but were made to wait by Rovers, who rejected two offers in July.

Duffy said: “Blackburn were being quite tough about it. It was difficult for me. They didn’t want to lose me.

“It was frustrating for me. I went into the season in a difficult situation. I wanted it to be done a lot earlier but we got there in the end.

“Of course, it would have been nice to have a pre-season with the players but it’s done now. That’s football and the window, I’m just delighted to be here.”