Dajaune Brown’s immediate chances of regular minutes at Derby County look set to take a massive hit, meaning that a loan move away from Pride Park could be the best outcome for player and club.
John Eustace has been one of the most active managers in the Championship when it comes to transfer activity thus far, with five signings moving to the club thus far. Three of these signings have immediate ramifications on Brown’s individual predicament, with Carlton Morris, Andreas Weimann and the most recent addition of Patrick Agyemang, who was the subject of a deal which could rise as high as £7.3m, significantly bolstering the attacking department after a tally of just 48 goals in 46 games last term.
It is clear that Brown could still have a part to play with Derby in the future. But for now, a loan move to the EFL’s lower reaches to source regular minutes week-in, week-out seems likely, and Football League World has identified three potential destinations for the former Gateshead loanee between now and Deadline Day.
MK Dons
Kickstarting the trio of destinations is MK Dons, who are preparing for their first full season under the management of former Rams boss, Paul Warne.
The key link which makes a move to Buckinghamshire seem a real possibility is, of course, the 52-year-old’s prior knowledge of Brown’s potential, having been in charge when the striker penned his first professional contract, sanctioning his aforementioned move to Gateshead, as well as overseeing his first professional goals and starts for Derby against Hull City and Coventry City respectively.
Dajaune Brown – Derby County league goals and appearances (per Fbref.com)
Season
Appearances (Starts)
Goals (Assists)
2023-24
2 (0)
0
2024-25
15 (3)
1 (0)
MK already have four strikers on their books in the form of Aaron Collins, Scott Hogan, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Callum Hendry. However, Warne is clearly in the market for more firepower having been linked with Michael Smith of Sheffield Wednesday.
Whilst going down the experienced route is no bad thing, securing a loan swoop for Brown would offer the Dons a different dimension, as he offers an aerial threat at 6″0, as well as pace and power, which can be improved on in a physical league such as League Two, whilst being part of a club expected to achieve promotion by many outsiders, showcasing he can deal with high-pressure situations on a regular basis.
Notts County
Notts County have already lost the services of David McGoldrick, whilst top scorer, Alassana Jatta continues to be linked with a move away from Meadow Lane ahead of Martin Paterson’s first season in charge.
Even if the Gambian was to depart or not, moving for Brown on a temporary basis would potentially be a smart move for the Magpies, and the striker could definitely flourish and be excited when looking at the creative forces among the ranks in NG2.
Jodi Jones has accumulated 28 assists in the past two seasons, whilst Will Jarvis has also shown glimpses of his ability since moving from Hull City in January. Plenty of chances are likely to be created in order for Brown to hit the ground running and score a bundle of goals in the EFL for the very first time for the side who had the third-highest goal return in League Two last season, despite failing to get over the promotion line in the play-offs.
Bristol Rovers
Ending the trio of sides expected to challenge towards the upper echelons of the fourth tier that could swoop for Brown’s services is Bristol Rovers.
At present, the only out-and-out strikers on Darrell Clarke’s books following his return to the Memorial Stadium are Ruel Sotiriou and record-signing, Promise Omochere, who scored just 10 goals between them last term as the Gas were among League One and the EFL’s lowest-scoring sides during their relegation season.
Whilst hope will remain that the duo can get firing on all cylinders in the division below, further reinforcements in this department are needed, with Rovers recently said to be eyeing up an ambitious transfer move for Macaulay Langstaff, who has found it tough with Millwall in the Championship.
With many League One sides also competing for his signature, looking at an upcoming talent such as Brown, as a cheaper alternative, would represent smart business, especially with the forward’s ESTIMATED wage being just £1,500 per week at Pride Park.
Like the aforementioned sides, Rovers still have plenty of talent who have high-end ability for League Two, so there is once again scope for the youngster to make a name for himself and impress those who would monitor his developments back in the Midlands.
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