Doncaster Rovers academy prospect Sam Straughan-Brown, a midfielder with a promising future, has caught the attention of several non-league clubs, according to manager Grant McCann.
The 17-year-old had a standout performance for the club’s under-18 side, where he recently scored a hat-trick, and that’s alerted a number of clubs, eager to give him his first taste of senior football.
While the transfer window for EFL clubs closed last Friday, non-league teams can still make signings, leaving the door open for a potential loan move for the 17-year-old, with National League clubs circling.
“There’s quite a bit of interest in Sam from clubs to take him on loan,” manager McCann told the Free Press. “He’s a good player. In my opinion he’s way above (the level) of the under-18s, but at this moment in time he’s in and around the (senior) squad and in the building and in good form for the under-18s.”
McCann emphasized Straughan-Brown’s potential but noted the importance of finding the right opportunity for the young midfielder to gain experience. “If the right opportunity comes for him then I wouldn’t mind him going out to get some games but it’s important he goes out and does that. So we’ll see.”
Straughan-Brown got his first taste of senior action in an EFL Cup match against Everton, coming off the bench. In October 2023, he signed his first professional contract with the club, with McCann calling him one of the ‘best young talents’ he’s worked with in a long time.
He made his League Two debut on New Year’s Day, coming on as a late sub in a 3–0 win over Milton Keynes Dons, which has been his only senior experience to date. However, he could make his first start this week as Rovers kick off their EFL Trophy campaign at home against Huddersfield Town.
Writer’s View
There’s no doubt the 17-year-old is a talent, and there’s a lot of hushed excitement in South Yorkshire about his potential. There’s no rush to get him out on loan; he’s still young and may benefit from being around the Doncaster squad without the pressure of first-team football.
If he’s ambitious, he’ll want to get out on the field against senior pros and make an impact. That puts a lot of emphasis on McCann and the Doncaster loans team. The first loan can make or break a player, so they must find a team who will play Straughan-Brown but who perhaps will not be 100% reliant on him, especially not in a relegation battle.
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