Derby County Manager Paul Warne Provides Update on Dajaune Brown Amid Transfer Interest
Derby County manager Paul Warne has provided an update on the future of promising youngster Dajaune Brown, who has attracted significant interest this summer.
With Derby County back in the Championship after a two-year absence, new faces are arriving at Pride Park to enhance squad competition. In the attack, Kayden Jackson has joined following his release from Ipswich Town, while Jerry Yates has signed on a season-long loan from Swansea City. These new signings join last season’s top scorer James Collins and veteran forward Conor Washington, raising questions about the role of teenage striker Brown.
After an impressive loan spell with Gateshead in the National League last season, the 18-year-old has participated in both of Derby’s pre-season matches so far. Warne recently revealed that numerous clubs have shown interest in the Nottingham-born forward over the summer.
“I usually get a phone call about him every day from a club wanting to sign him,” Warne told BBC Radio Derby. “I am in no rush to let him go, but I also do not want to hinder his progress. Derby’s needs come first, but if he is the best striker in the building, I would be foolish not to play him.”
Warne emphasized that Brown still has a lot to learn and will continue to feature in upcoming pre-season games. “If I think it is better for him to go out on loan, there are plenty of suitors, but you get nine on the bench and you need to keep players when you can,” he added.
Brown’s Potential and Contributions
Brown is a strong, skilful, and energetic forward who demonstrated his abilities with both Derby’s academy and Gateshead last season. He has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 33 appearances for Derby’s U21 and U18 teams since the 2020/21 campaign, earning his senior debut last term.
His first-team debut came as a substitute during a 2-0 defeat to Blackpool in the Carabao Cup, followed by a start in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, where he played the first half of a 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s. Brown featured five times for Derby’s first team before being loaned to Gateshead in January, where he made a significant impact.
During his loan, Brown scored nine goals and registered eight assists in 22 appearances, including a standout performance in the FA Trophy final where he set up the opener, scored the equaliser, and netted the winning penalty.
Derby County’s Transfer Activity
So far, Derby has secured five new signings: Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, Kenzo Goudmijn, and Ebou Adams, with Yates joining on loan. Meanwhile, Louie Sibley, Joe Wildsmith, Korey Smith, and Conor Hourihane have left the club as free agents, joining Oxford United, West Brom, Cambridge United, and Barnsley, respectively. Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn were also released but have yet to find new clubs, and Scott Loach has retired.
Warne has suggested that Derby’s front line could still use further strengthening, so if additional forwards are signed, Brown might be sent out on loan to continue his development.