Cardiff City defender set for loan move away
The Bluebirds man was expected to be part of the first-team set-up next season but fresh reports claim he will be sent out on loan once again
Ciaron Brown is reportedly set for a third loan spell with Scottish Premier League club Livingston next season.
The Cardiff City defender, 22, has already earned his fair share of supporters north of the border during two impressive loan stints and it was thought he might have a part to play for the Bluebirds next season.
TEAMtalk, however, report that Livi are eyeing up the Northern Ireland international for another stint at the Tony Macaroni Arena next term.
They claim clubs both in Scotland and England were keen to take the player next season, however Brown opted for familiar surroundings with Livingston.
City boss Neil Harris said in January he planned for Brown to have greater involvement for the Bluebirds squad next season, however should the centre back move away once again, it appears he will have very little, if any, involvement in the Welsh capital.
"I'm really pleased for Brown to go," Harris said of his second Livingston loan deal. "It’s great for him and I’ve seen enough potential to think he can come back and play a part for us next season.
"I’m really looking forward to him coming back and training with us pre-season.
"If he goes out and plays 10, 15, 18 men’s games in the Scottish Premiership, that would be great for him and for us in the long term. That will probably be the ideal scenario for players of his age."
Brown played 11 games in all competitions at the back end of the season for Livingston, and even registered three assists from centre-back, before the season was curtailed.
The player's own ambitions appeared to tally with Harris' plans, too, when in March he was bullish in his desire to force his way into the first-team reckoning at Cardiff City Stadium.
“When I go back down the road, I want them to see I’ve been playing games, got better and have a bit of experience now and hopefully come pre-season, I’ll be able to find a place in that team and play every week,” he told the Livi website.
Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson have established themselves as first-choice centre halves for City this season. However, beyond that, there will be stiff competition for places.
Aden Flint has had a greatly diminished role since the turn of the year, while Sol Bamba has played only in the final few minutes of games when the defence has needed shoring up.
Should Brown impress there is a feeling an opening is there for him there to nail down that back-up centre-half berth, which should certainly be his short-term aim at Cardiff City.
Whether another loan move away will help that cause remains to be seen.
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