Brisbane Roar has been successful in securing the club’s National Youth League captain Corey Brown to a two year senior contract.
Brisbane Roar has been successful in securing the club-s National Youth League captain Corey Brown to a two year senior contract.
Currently one of Brisbane-s full time youth squad members, Brown will officially become a Hyundai A-League player when his new deal commences on 1 May 2013.
“I-m excited about being given the opportunity to step up,” he said.
“I-ve felt like part of the squad for two years now but it-s great to confirm it with an A-League contract.”
The signing shows the Roar-s intent on developing local talent with Brisbane-born Brown having played all his junior football in his home city before he developed his trade at the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport.
A natural left-footer, the youngster considers himself to play a similar style to current Roar left-back Shane Stefanutto.
Brown-s only senior appearance came last season when he filled in for the injured Roar vice-captain against Beijing Guoan in the AFC Champions League home fixture.
“Hopefully I can put a bit more pressure on Shane and work my way up to earning a bit of game time,” he said.
“Next season, I want to put even more pressure on him but Shane is a good player so it isn-t going to be easy.”
The 19-year-old credits his dad, former Brisbane Strikers great and seven-time Qantas Socceroo Rod Brown, for his desire to play professional football for his hometown club.
“My first memory is actually watching my dad play in the 1997 Grand Final,” Brown said, referring to the famous National Soccer League decider where Brown senior and Frank Farina scored the winning goals for the Strikers.
“Since then, I-ve always wanted to be a professional footballer – he-s always been my motivation and inspiration.
“Staying in Brisbane is what I wanted to do.
“I-ve supported this club since the A-League started so it-s always been a dream of mine to play professionally here and I-m stoked now that I get to do it.”
A former regular of the Qantas Joeys (Australia U17) and now a key member of the Qantas Young Socceroos (Australia U20), 2013 marks a massive year for Brown who is hoping to represent Australia at the U20 FIFA World Cup in Turkey in July.
COREY BROWN FACT FILE
Date of birth:7 January 1994 (age 19)
Place of birth: Brisbane, Australia
Junior club: The Gap
Institutes: Queensland Academy of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport
National honours: Qantas Joeys U17 (including FIFA U17 World Cup 2011), Qantas Young Socceroos U20 (including AFC U19 Championship 2012 that sealed qualification for FIFA U20 World Cup 2013)
