Who is Archie Brown? The star wanted by Leeds United, Chelsea and West Ham | OneFootball

English players starting their professional first-team careers outside of England is a rare sight to see.

Players from England going abroad anyway is a rarity, with many players from the home of football usually choosing to stay put and work their way up the English football pyramid.

But there is now an English star who moved away and is now making his name in Europe, and catching the eye - Archie Brown.

According to The Guardian, Premier League sides Chelsea and West Ham United are both considering a £15 million move for Brown in the summer transfer window. Juventus, AC Milan, Lyon and Nice are also interested.

HITC have also now credited Leeds United with an Interest, stating he is on their radar.

But who is Archie Brown?

Archie Brown’s abnormal career start

Brown originally came through at the academy of now League One side Derby County, being a regular for their U18 and U23 sides. He played the majority of his football at U18 level as a left winger, but was moved to left back and centre back for the U23s.

He then rejected a new contract to stay at Pride Park at the end of the 20/21 campaign, as he wanted to play regular first-team football, something he clearly felt he could not get in Derbyshire. It was said that some people at Derby did not rate Brown highly.

A surprising move then came for Brown - he moved to Switzerland to join FC Lausanne-Sport, despite offers from Championship clubs at the time.

His first season in Switzerland was spent bedding him into the side and life in a new country, as he only made four appearances as they were relegated from the Swiss top flight. They finished bottom of the division, winning just four games.

But the step down in division gave Brown a chance to express himself and he excelled, as Lausanne finished second, gaining promotion back to the Super League at the first time of asking.

Brown was a key part of Lausanne’s promotion side - he played 34 of Lausanne’s 36 league games, scoring five goals from left back.

His form caught attention across Europe, which led to his move to his current side, Gent, in the top flight of Belgium.

Archie Brown now excelling in Belgium

Now in Belgium, he has continued his impressive form despite the big jump up in level.

Operating at left wing-back, with Gent playing three at the back, his qualities that he nurtured playing left wing for Derby’s U18s, combined with the defensive abilities he learned whilst playing for Derby’s U23s and Lausanne, have made him a brilliant wing-back.

So far this season, he has made 19 appearances in the league, with Gent currently in seventh position, looking to break into the championship group phase at the end of the season.

Brown has also been able to play in European competitions, with Gent playing in the Europa Conference League. They were knocked out in the Round of 32 having progressed through the group stage.

His pace and athleticism stand out as his key attributes, and combine that with his versatility to play at left wing and at centre back, then at the age of 21, Brown presents himself as a potentially brilliant option for Premier League sides.