Derby County sold youngster Archie Brown to Swiss side Lausanne-Sport in 2021 and now the 22-year-old has opened up on why he had no ‘regret’ leaving.
Derby County have always given youngsters a chance to shine in the first-team, from Max Bird to Eiran Cashin and Louie Sibley.
The foundations of Derby’s success last term were built on a core of experienced professionals and academy graduates.
But like with any football club, there are always talented youngsters that slip through the net and that is certainly the case with Archie Brown.
Brown started his youth career at the Rams as a winger and caught the eye when netting a hat-trick against Arsenal under-18’s in 2019.
Derby secured a 5-2 victory over the Gunners on that day while in the following season, Brown was a part of the squad that pulled up trees in the UEFA Youth League, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 at Pride Park.
A highly-rated youngster at Moor Farm, the Rams did offer him a new contract but he rejected terms and instead made a surprise move to Swiss side Lausanne-Sport.
Archie Brown says he had no ‘regrets’ leaving Derby County
Brown left Derby in 2021 when the club were going through financial ruin.
Remarkably, some staff at the club didn’t rate him ‘particularly highly’, with the youngster choosing to move on.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the 22-year-old opens up about his decision to move abroad to play first-team football.
At first, he said he found the process ‘challenging’ but having flourished since leaving Derbyshire, the youngster has absolutely no regrets.
“It was challenging, to be honest, I can’t sit here and act like it was really smooth,” Brown said.
“It was also around COVID, so I didn’t get to come back and see people as much as I wanted to. I think in the second season it was a turning point, I embraced the culture, jumped into the lifestyle and it helped me develop as a player and a person.
“I had the opportunity to be part of a first team where I knew if I performed, there would be a lot of eyes on me – and that’s how it played out.
“I knew I had to throw myself in the deep end even though some others thought I wasn’t ready. I bet on me – I’m always going to bet on me – and I don’t regret anything.”
The one that got away from Derby County
Brown was snapped up by Belgian side Gent last summer and the youngster has transformed into one of the most sought-after left-backs in Europe.
Including 10 matches in the Europa Conference League, the Englishman has made 44 appearances across all competitions.
As a result, the talented defender has received a call-up to the England under-20s squad and attracted a whole host of sides across Europe.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are the latest clubs to show an interest, as per the Daily Mirror, while fellow Premier League sides West Ham and Chelsea reportedly want a player who Gent value at £17 million.
Letting a youngster go of Brown’s talent is a decision that will forever haunt Derby, not just because of his ceiling as a player but the money the club would have pocketed in transfer fees.
The post ‘I don’t regret anything...’: Former Derby County youngster explains why he left the club in 2021 appeared first on Derby County News.