James Brown (born 4 June 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a right back for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic.
Career Brown began his career with Shelbourne, joining the senior team in April 2016. He signed for Drogheda United for the 2019 season. He won the 2020 League of Ireland First Division title with Drogheda, and was later selected for the 2021 PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year, as well as being Drogheda's Supporters' Player of the Year. He served as Drogheda's captain.
In late 2021, he underwent trials with English clubs Blackburn Rovers and Bristol Rovers. He signed a contract with Blackburn Rovers in January 2022. He made his EFL Championship debut for Blackburn on the final day of the 2021–22 season, starting in the club's 2–1 defeat of Birmingham City. On 29 July 2022, Brown signed for EFL League Two club Stockport County on loan for the 2022–23 season. He moved on loan to Doncaster Rovers in January 2023.
On 7 July 2023, Brown joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on a permanent deal. He left the club at the end of his contract in June 2025 following their relegation to the Scottish Championship.
On 30 August 2025, Brown signed for Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a one-year-contract.
On 22 February 2026, Brown signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic on a long-term contract. On 9 August 2026, he scored his first goal for the club, the winner in a 2–1 victory over his former club Shelbourne at Tolka Park.https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/new-signing-anthony-olusanya-scores-as-st-patricks-athletic-claim-derby-bragging-rights-over-10-man-shelbourne/a/159805212.html
Style of play Brown has been described as an "attack-minded full-back" who "is competent with both feet, can either cut inside or take the defender down to the byline in order to deliver a cross".
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShelbourne2016LOI First Division300000003020171412010302012018161000030191Total332201060422Drogheda United2019LOI First Division230201030290202018110——1912021LOI Premier Division34110——351Total752401030832Blackburn Rovers 2021–22EFL Championship1000——002022–2300———00Total1000——10Stockport County (loan)2022–23EFL League Two160202020220Doncaster Rovers (loan)2022–23EFL League Two170———170Ross County2023–24Scottish Premiership3111061204022024–25270105100331Total5812011220733Kilmarnock2025–26Scottish Premiership150001010170St Patrick's Athletic2026LOI Premier Division29120—00311Career Total24461201621402868
Honours Drogheda United League of Ireland First Division: 2020
Individual PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year: 2021
References