Brown started out at Manchester City and was tipped to go to the top of the game, winning England Under-21 caps. The midfielder became a regular for City, following a loan spell with hometown club Hartlepool United.

However, as the club struggled down the divisions it became clear he would move on. He helped City to promotion from the Second Division via the play-offs in 1998/99, but at the start of the 1999/2000 campaign he was loaned to Portsmouth. After spending a month with Pompey, he moved on to Sheffield United in December 1999 and became an instant hit after making his debut in a 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers. Within a few weeks he had joined the Blades for a fee of £400,000.

Hard-working, tough in the tackle and skillful, Brown was a real asset to Neil Warnock's Blades. He came of age in the 2002/03 season as the Blades reached the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Worthington Cup and lost in the First Division play-off final. The player carved out a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder of the highest order. He would score 22 goals over the campaign.

With his contract due to expire in the summer of 2004, rumours began to surface about his future at the start of the following term. At one stage it seemed certain he would be on his way to Scotland to join Rangers.

But Tottenham Hotspur came in to offer him the chance to return to the Premiership. He signed for Spurs for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £500,000, on January 1, 2004. Brown had scored 36 goals in 170 appearances for Sheffield United.

Following a bright start at White Hart Lane he has slipped down the pecking order and has made just two league starts this season.

source: Soccernet