Striker at centre of dramatic Portsmouth transfer deadline-day move now part of 17-man exodus at relegated League One club

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Jevani Brown’s proposed move to Pompey had the hallmarks of a transfer deadline-day classic.

But more than two-and-a-half years later, the 30-year-old is on the lookout for a new club after being named in a 17-man Bristol Rovers exodus.

On January 31, 2023, the striker was at the centre of Blues interest as they looked to round off their winter business.

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Early on in the day, Brown - who was then with Exeter City - was linked with a dramatic move to Fratton Park as John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes looked to strengthen the squad following the head coach’s appointment just 11 days prior.

The Blues did sign fellow forward Paddy Lane with two hours to go in the window, but questions still remained over Brown’s signing, with his post quickly deleted.

But there was no late movement for the forward who had scored 14 goals in 32 appearances prior to Pompey’s interest.

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Just days later, though, the Jamaican was at the centre of allegations after being charged with assaulting two women in Exeter on February 2 - something he later pleaded guilty to.

After missing the second-half of the 2022-23 campaign, having been suspended by the Grecians, Brown made a free-transfer switch to Bristol Rovers in June 2023, where he went on to amass 41 outings in his first term.

The forward then moved to Notts County on loan in August 2024 but only scored two goals in 18 appearances, with his only appearance on the scoresheet coming against non-league Alfreton Town in the FA Cup.

After returning to the Memorial Stadium in January, the 30-year-old never played for Rovers again and was subsequently part of a mass exodus of players following their relegation to League Two.

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Following Bristol Rovers’ 4-1 defeat to Blackpool on Saturday, head coach Inigo Calderon was sacked - along with assistant Miguel Llera - and were followed out the door by nine out-of-contract players as well as their five loan men.

Bristol Rovers’ mass exodus - including for Pompey target Jevani Brown

Jevani Brown scored two goals in 41 appearance for Rovers.Jevani Brown scored two goals in 41 appearance for Rovers.
Jevani Brown scored two goals in 41 appearance for Rovers. | Getty Images

That was part of an ‘extensive and thorough review’ of the club’s footballing operations after making a return to League Two after three seasons.

Sporting director Ricky Martin said: ‘On behalf of Bristol Rovers I would like to express my gratitude to each of the players and staff who are moving on from the Club this summer. Each goes with our collective best wishes for the future.

‘The hard work is already underway in terms of our preparations for the 2025/26 season, including a comprehensive recruitment process for both our coaching department and first-team squad.

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‘While we are all experiencing the pain of our confirmed relegation, we are channelling that energy into ensuring our team and Club is in the best possible position ahead of our first League Two fixture in August.’

Since Brown’s deadline-day saga with Pompey, the striker has netted just four goals in the following two seasons - three of which have came against non-league opposition - and amassed just 59 appearances.

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