‘Brilliant’ former Portsmouth and Stoke City man completes intriguing switch after underwhelming Fratton stint
Jacob Brown scored one goal in 15 appearances for Pompey across the second half of the season.
Jacob Brown has joined League One Reading following his underwhelming Pompey loan stay.
The striker, who spent the second half of last term at Fratton Park, has completed a permanent switch to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on a free transfer.
After the conclusion of his temporary stay with the Blues, the 28-year-old was released by Luton Town bringing an end to his three-year stay at Kenilworth Road.
But Brown has wasted no time in finding a new club, having penned a two-year deal with the Royals, who are managed by former Pompey coach Leam Richardson.
Reading sign former Pompey loanee
Despite a disappointing loan stint at Fratton Park, which reaped just one goal in 15 outings, the ex-Stoke City and Barnsley man has a wealth of Championship experience and goalscoring prowess.
And that quality is something Richardson highlighted as he continues to assemble a squad he hopes will win promotion from League One next term.
Speaking on Reading’s official website, the head coach said: ‘We're really pleased to bring Jacob to Reading. He's a player we've admired for a long time because he gives you so much.
‘He's athletic, works incredibly hard for the team, can play in a number of attacking positions and has shown throughout his career that he can score goals at a high level.
‘As well as his qualities on the pitch, he's a brilliant character who brings a wealth of experience and will fit into the culture we're building here.
‘He has played at the top flight, has international experience with Scotland and has a real desire to come here and be part of what we're trying to achieve.
‘We're looking forward to working with him. I know he'll give absolutely everything for this football club and I'm sure our supporters will enjoy watching him in a Reading shirt.’
Jacob Brown’s Pompey loan
Brown was recruited by Pompey on deadline day of the winter transfer window, penning a loan deal from Luton Town.
The eight-cap Scotland international, who was a Premier League goalscorer as recently as 2023, was identified by the football operations at Fratton Park as they looked to solve the Blues’ goalscoring issues.
After an injury to Colby Bishop, the versatile attacker was thrown straight into the starting XI for Pompey’s 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in February, having only featured seven times for Luton earlier in the campaign.
It represented just one of five starts during his temporary stint on the south coast, which saw him appear on the scoresheet just once in his 15 Championship outings.
But following his underwhelming loan stint, Brown was released by the Hatters are the end of the campaign, with Jack Wilshere opting against handing the forward a new deal.
It brought an end to his three-year stay at Kenilworth Road, where he scored seven goals in 60 appearances in all competitions.
Now, the former Pompey loanee has turned to Reading in a bid to reignite his goalscoring abilities.