Derby County youngster Dajaune Brown has been shortlisted for the EFL’s Sky Bet League One Apprentice of the Season.
The 18-year-old striker, who is currently on loan at National League side Gateshead, is part of a three-player shortlist in the running to claim the accolade, which is sponsored by the League Football Education, alongside Tom King of Cheltenham Town and Reuben Wyatt of Northampton Town.
The winners will be announced at the EFL’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday 14th April 2024 and Brown could follow in the footsteps of Academy graduates Mason Bennett and Max Bird to win an Apprentice of the Year award.
Brown, who is a second-year scholar and signed his first professional contract last summer, made his senior bow earlier in the campaign ahead of heading out on loan.
Brown was excellent form at Academy level before moving to Gateshead, scoring six times in nine appearances for the Under-21s in Premier League 2 as well as being a regular on the scoresheet in both the Central League and Central League Cup with eight in just four appearances.
He also scored six times in six appearances for the Under-18s in the Under-18 Premier League, Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup combined.
Brown, after spending pre-season with the first team squad last summer, has played five times for Paul Warne’s side in total. He made his first senior start in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group Stage win over Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in November.
He has currently netted nine goals in 15 appearances in all competitions for Gateshead, including a hat-trick in their FA Trophy win over Peterborough Sports last month, and established himself in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
