Derby County have seen youngster Brown emerge as one of their brightest prospects in recent months.
Following outstanding performances at the academy, the teenager went on loan to Gateshead in the winter and demonstrated his abilities on the senior level as well. Brown scored 10 goals in 20 games for the Heed as they advanced to the play-off final and the FA Trophy final, winning the latter after defeating the former.
Such success in the northeast has raised doubts about what the 18-year-old can expect next season.
According to Derbyshire Live, League Two clubs have already expressed an interest in loaning him out again. That choice will not be decided until Paul Warne has had an opportunity to evaluate his alternatives in pre-season, with Brown expected to impress.
Unless Brown makes it into the Rams’ first squad, his next move will most likely be a higher-level loan following his success in the National League.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Jamaican striker can break into Derby County’s first-team during pre-season, but a League Two move appears to be the appropriate next step for him.
The Rams teen will need to face tougher competition next season. He excelled in youth football, and with that transferring well in the National League, it will be interesting to see what he can achieve in the EFL.
Brown has previously appeared five times for Derby County’s senior team, the majority of which came as a substitution.
It demonstrates that he has been on Warne and Co’s radar for a time before to his Gateshead stay, but his outstanding period in non-league has only increased his prospects of making a breakthrough at Pride Park later on.
There will be space in the striker department for a new face or two this summer.
Martyn Waghorn and Dwight Gayle are leaving Derby County after the club declined to renew their contracts, while it is unclear whether James Collins will stay with the club.
If he leaves, Conor Washington will be the only senior option at the top of the pitch.
If Brown is added to the lineup, there will be one less striker. However, if he is loaned out again, the Rams might be looking for up to three strikers as they prepare to return to Championship competition.
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