Ciaron Maurice Brown

Ciaron Brown reached the Championship without going through a professional academy. He has said he turned down academy routes and chose non-league football instead, starting his senior career with Bedfont Sports in 2015.

Wealdstone came next, in July 2016. Cardiff City signed him in January 2018 for an undisclosed fee. Cardiff sent him to Scotland to play, and he had several loan spells at Livingston. One of them brought a goal against Celtic.

Brown was born in Hillingdon, Greater London, but plays for Northern Ireland, which he qualifies for through his mother, who is from Belfast. He made his senior debut in September 2019 against Luxembourg. He has since won 30 caps, playing in UEFA Nations League matches and in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

His career changed direction at Oxford United. He joined on loan in January 2022 and signed permanently that June, when his Cardiff contract expired. Supporters twice named him their Player of the Year, for 2022–23 and again for 2024–25.

The high point of his time there came in 2024. Oxford beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the League One play-off final and won promotion to the Championship, and Brown was a key part of that side.