Brisbane Roar Football Club has secured the services of promising young defender Corey Brown for the next three Hyundai A-League seasons.
After joining the club as a full-time Foxtel National Youth League player in 2011, the left-back signed his first senior contract in January 2013 and has now extended his time with the three-time Hyundai A-League Champions until the end of the 2017/18 season.
Brisbane born and raised, Brown said he was excited to pledge his future to the club.
“I’m a Brisbane boy, I’ve got a lot of passion for this club so it’s great to sign for the next three years,” he said.
“It was an easy decision for me – my hometown club, it’s a great environment to learn and develop, and I’m around my family and the lads.”
A product of the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport, the 21-year-old also has football in his blood with his father Rod a former Socceroo.
Brown is a current member of Australia’s U23 team and believes the Queensland club is the ideal environment for him to continue to progress as a footballer – with the aim of one day replicating his dad’s achievements.
“This is the best place for me to develop and become a better player,” he said.
“It’s shown now that you don’t need to leave the A-League to become a Socceroo – the likes of Matt McKay and Ivan Franjic have shown that if you’re performing well in the A-League and at this club, that you can get call ups to the national team.
“It’s a massive ambition of mine to play for the Socceroos one day and I feel that being here can help me reach my goal.”
Brisbane Roar Director of Football Ken Stead said Brown’s new contract extension showed the club is committed to providing pathways for young footballers in Queensland.
“Corey is a prime example of this – he captained the Young Roar, he made his senior debut in the AFC Champions League in 2012 and now is performing at a consistently high level for our A-League side,” Stead said.
“We’re pleased to see Corey commit to the club and his enthusiasm and work ethic will be a great asset to our squad over the next three years.”
