National striker Warner Brown has left Arnett Gardens for Mount Pleasant following a breakout season in which he banged in 22 goals and took the Junglists to third spot in the Jamaica Premier League.

Eyebrows were raised when Brown was not included in the Arnett Gardens’ team to defend their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield title in Trinidad and Tobago starting on Sunday (July 27).

The 22-year-old Brown was the league’s Golden Boot winner with 22 goals and netted four times for Jamaica from nine games as he solidified his status as a Reggae Boy.

Brown believed the time is right for another step in his career, citing that the move to Mount Pleasant is the right one.

“Joining Mount Pleasant is a massive step in my career and a challenge I’m ready for,” said Brown, who grew to prominence as a schoolboy at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS).

“This club has been building something special and I want to be part of that journey. The ambition here is clear , it’s about winning trophies, raising the standard in Jamaican football and competing at the highest level,” he added.

“Last season was incredible for me on a personal level, but I believe I’m only scratching the surface of my potential. Here I will be surrounded by quality players, top coaches and a winning culture, which will push me to improve every single day,” Brown explained.

However, this comments might irk the Arnett Gardens community, which is one of the winningest clubs in the league and certainly more successful than Mount Pleasant.

But not many can resist the urge of representing the St Ann’s club that is strapped with cash and has built one of the most powerful team in the country.

Owner of Mount Pleasant Academy, Peter Gould, says this signing is significant.

 “Securing Warner Brown is a proud moment for us. Warner represents everything we stand for, ambition, hard work and a commitment to excellence,” said Gould.

“As a club, we’re building something unique for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean and having players of Warner’s calibre is essential to that mission,” he added.

“We are investing not only in talent but in a future where Mount Pleasant becomes a force in regional football and in the global landscape of the industry,” Gould pointed out.

Davion Ferguson, director of football at Mount Pleasant Academy, welcomed the signing as a major statement of intent.

“Our focus this season is clear. We have the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup and the JPL on the horizon and our objective is to be successful in both. Bringing in a player like Warner shows our supporters and the football community that we are serious about taking Mount Pleasant to the next level,” Ferguson said.

He continued: “His pedigree, his sharpness in front of goal and his leadership qualities make him a perfect fit for our vision. This is just the beginning of what we’re building”.

The acquisition of Brown comes on the heels of Mount Pleasant’s participation in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, which kicks off on August 19 against SV Robinhood inside the National Stadium in Kingston with kick-off at 7:00 pm.

Mount Pleasant Academy is the Caribbean’s first and only full-scholarship football institution, dedicated to developing the next generation of talent. With a strong emphasis on both athletic and academic development, the Academy provides a holistic environment for young players to grow and reach their full potential.

The senior team has been one of the most consistent teams in the local premiership, getting to the final on three straight occasions between 2023 and 2025.