Time was right for Luke

FORMER IRELAND YOUTH INTERNATIONAL READY FOR NEW CHALLENGE

- By SAM ALLEN

NOTTS County's first January signing, Luke Browne, felt now is the right time to step into a men's football environment in England after years of progression at Crystal Palace.

The Magpies committed the former Ireland U17 and U19 international to a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further year at the club's behest.

Dublin is home to the 20-year-old centre-back, and he started his career at Shelbourne, picking up his first professional contract there at 16 before a loan spell at Wexford FC gave him an early introduction to the men's game.

Following a trial, he was picked up by Palace almost two years ago and rose to the point of being the U21s captain by the time his Meadow Lane opportunity arrived, which was one he felt he could not turn down.