1 year ago
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REGGAE GIRL Jody Brown is mentally prepared to make her transition from collegiate to professional football, after the former Florida State standout signed a three-year deal with reigning Portuguese champions Benfica. According to Brown, the move is a lifelong dream that has come to fruition.
“I am proud and honoured to sign my first professional contract with a big institution such as Benfica. Being a professional has always been my dream since I started playing in Jamaica,” said Brown.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, hails Brown as a ‘national treasure’ and lauded the Portugal-based club’s move to secure her services.
“This signing augurs well for Jody’s personal development and the development of the national team. Jody is a national treasure, she is young but very experienced, and Benfica has done well to get her signature. I hope she scores countless goals,” said Ricketts.
During her tenure at Florida State University, Brown helped the team to capture four straight Atlantic Coast Championships (ACC) Women’s Soccer titles and the NCAA Division 1 title in 2021 and 2023. She also has the experience of representing the national team at the under-15, under-17, and under-20 levels.
According to assistant coach of the Reggae Girlz, Xavier Gilbert, Brown is special.
“What stands out the most is her pace, creativity and how exciting she can be on the ball. It’s really a good feeling to see how she handles herself in close spaces on the football,” he added.
At the senior level, Brown, who made her debut at 16 years old, has already featured at two FIFA World Cups. In 18 appearances for the Reggae Girlz, Brown has scored 12 goals.
Gilbert also said one of the plusses of having Brown in the squads, and that could translate to her time at Benfica, is how coachable she is.
DYNAMIC PLAYER
“Her goalscoring ability is very much up there. She can play anywhere across the offensive front line, including the number-10 position in the midfield. Brown is a dynamic player, as sometimes she isn’t used as an out-an-out striker, hence why we haven’t seen more goals from her,” said Gilbert.
Later this year, the Reggae Girlz are set to kick off their 2027 FIFA World Cup and Concacaf Nations League campaigns, and Brown, Gilbert said, should be a big part of those plans.
“She’s definitely a force to be reckoned with in the attacking line, and we expect her to just come out, execute, and give the usual attitude that she usually displays.”
English (US) ·