Deshorn Brown will continue his career in Norway after the Colorado Rapids sold him to Vålerenga on Tuesday.
Brown, 24, attracted interest from Europe after establishing himself as a reliable performer for the Rapids during his first two seasons in the league. The speedy forward scored 20 goals in 61 appearances in 2013 and 2014. He also featured as a late substitute in the Rapids' season-opening 0-0 draw at Philadelphia on March 7.
Vålerenga officials traveled to Colorado over the weekend to sort out the final details of the undisclosed deal to bring Brown to Norway. The decision to sell Brown now allows the Rapids to restock their allocation coffers and permits Brown to test the European waters with a club interested in providing him with regular opportunities to prosper.
“Deshorn came to our club through the draft process and, right from the beginning, proved he had the talent to go far in the game,” Rapids vice president of soccer operations and technical director Paul Bravo said in a statement. Although we are sad to see him go, this move is an opportunity Deshorn wanted and, on the club side, gives us the flexibility to continue strengthening the squad as we move forward. On behalf of everyone at the Rapids, we want to thank Deshorn for everything he has done for the club and we wish him the best of luck in the future."
Brown's departure increases the pressure on the Rapids to land an accomplished striker to lead the line, though the Jamaica striker faced a fight for a starting berth this season. Colorado coach Pablo Mastroeni used rookie Dominique Badji and Panama forward Gabriel Torres as his forward tandem against the Union, but he and the club have set their sights on a high-profile, Designated Player to reinforce the choices up front.
The decision to sell Brown increases the resources available to tempt an established figure to spearhead the efforts going forward. It is now on the Rapids to figure out a way to fill the vacancy to ensure his production in front of goal is not missed as this season continues.
