SHANE DUFFY has vowed to learn from his own goal disasters after becoming Albion’s record signing.

The Seagulls landed the highly-rated Republic of Ireland centre-half from Blackburn Rovers at the third time of asking for around £3.5 million.

Duffy, 24, makes his debut at Newcastle United tonight (5.30) following three own goals and a red card in his final two Championship appearances for Rovers.

He said: “I don’t know if I can describe it. Against Wigan I scored my first own goal, carried on to get sent-off after I scored another two against Cardiff.

“I don’t think you would write it in a script! It was my own fault because I shouldn’t have let the transfer speculation get to me – but it was the first time I’ve been in that situation.

“I’ve learned from it and it’s going to make me a better player because I won’t make those mistakes again and it’s what makes you a footballer. You have your ups and downs. That was a down and I’ll get over it.”

Duffy, awarded a four-year contract by Albion, headed the winner in his farewell outing for Rovers, Tuesday’s 4-3 League Cup win at home to Crewe Alexandra.

“I pride myself on goals at the right end,” he said. “That was actually my first own goal against Wigan and then three have come at once. It was a tough one, but it’s the peril of a defender and I hope I’ve got my share out the way in one go.

“I scored the winner the other night which covered the cracks a little bit. I want to better my tally of five from last year and I could’ve had ten from the chances I had, so my aim is to be more clinical at set pieces this season, but the first thing is to try and get into the team as it’s a strong squad here.”

Duffy partners Lewis Dunk at Newcastle. Albion also have Uwe Huenemeier, just back from eight months out with groin damage, and Connor Goldson, who is scheduled to make his first appearance of the season at Southend in the Football League Trophy on Tuesday after knee trouble.

“It’s brilliant having that competition,” Duffy said. “It’s what you want and it makes you a better player.

“When you come to any club, you don’t want to be the only good defender. The defenders that are here are probably the strongest in the Championship.

“I want to thrive off that and try and learn from them too. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Ex-Everton stopper Duffy is Albion’s fourth signing of the summer following the returns to the club of centre-forward Glenn Murray and midfielder Steve Sidwell, together with the capture of Northern Ireland midfielder Ollie Norwood.

They remain keen to sign another striker, preferably a deep-lying No.10-type, before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

Norwich hijacked a deal for Tottenham’s Alex Pritchard which would also have broken the club record initial £2.5 million fee for Craig Mackail-Smith from Peterborough five years ago.

Albion are among several clubs strongly linked with Gillingham’s Bradley Dack. Gills boss Justin Edinburgh said yesterday the price would have to be right and they are in no hurry to sell.