Brown earns pro deal with Dale

The 17-year-old is the first scholar at the club to sign on the new professional terms introduced by the Football League this season whereby young players can now sign a pre-season deal once they have reached the age of 17. Brown, who has also been nominated for the League Two Apprentice of the Year award, has already had a taste of first-team action on one occasion this season in the 2-1 defeat by Bradford and has also been named as a substitute on numerous occasions. "I am over the moon, it has been a brilliant week for me," Brown told the club's official website. "This has come on the back of me being nominated for the apprentice of the year award and I feel very proud of what I have achieved to be honest. "I've just come into the club every day and tried my best, put 100% in and it's worked out for me. I know there's plenty of hard work ahead but I'm determined to break into the first team. That has to be my next goal."