Derby County close to sealing striker transfer

Derby County striker Dajaune Brown is close to sealing a move to Gateshead.

Derby County striker Dajaune Brown looks set to be heading out on loan to the National League.

Derbyshire Live understands Gateshead are close to agreeing a deal for the forward who has been in excellent form for the club’s academy this season. The Rams are keen to help further his development by way of competitive first-team football with Gateshead currently pushing for the play-offs.

The Heed are just one point off the top seven and will hope that Brown can help bolster their promotion push as they aim to challenge for a place in the Football League. Derby, as is standard, will have the option of recalling him after 28 days should he be needed. Should the deal go through, it will be a terrific opportunity for the 18-year-old.

Brown, who was on the bench for Saturday’s goalless draw against Lincoln City, last week scored five goals in an under-21s clash against Notts County in the Central Cup. Head coach Paul Warne had revealed last Thursday that Brown and Tony Weston have been attracting interest from several non-league clubs.

“For both of them I think a loan would be good,” he said. “I know some clubs’ policy is to loan them out, let them go through the leagues and they come back to you game-ready through somebody else’s tutelage.

“I don’t mind that. We’ve had calls for Dajaune, and sometimes you get lazy calls about him just because he’s scoring goals for the under-21s and he’s 18. You’ll speak to someone and say have you seen him play? And they’ll say no, I just heard he’s doing well. I will not let him go to anybody who has not bothered to watch him.

“There are a couple of good non-league options for Daj and I think he will go. Somebody came in for Tony from the National League but he didn’t fancy that opportunity which is his right. He doesn’t have to.”

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