Rochdale AFC can confirm that Academy graduate Ethan Brierley has agreed to join Premier League club Brentford for an undisclosed fee.
The 19-year-old will join The Bees on an initial three-year deal this summer, and leaves the club with our best wishes for the future.
A lifelong Dale fan, Brierley is a product of our successful Academy, having joined the club at the age of seven.
He made his first team debut at the age of 16, in a Carabao Cup tie at Huddersfield Town in September 2020.
Upon turning 17 in November of that year, the midfielder signed his first professional contract and would make nine appearances in total during the 2020/21 season.
𝘼 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮... 🤩
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 9, 2022
November 2014 - walks out with @ianhenderson___ as mascot 🤝
November 2022 - assists his record breaking goal 🙌
Fairytale stuff, @ethanbrierley1 💙#RAFC pic.twitter.com/6HyEgrLPVu
A loan spell at Spennymoor Town followed in the 2021/22 season, before he became a more prominent first team member at the Crown Oil Arena this campaign, making 31 appearances.
Brierley’s first Dale goal came in a Papa John’s Trophy tie at Accrington Stanley last August and the youngster also assisted Ian Henderson’s record-breaking goal against Salford City in November.
In total, he made 45 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
We would like to place on record our thanks to Ethan for his commitment and dedication to the Dale cause during his time at the Crown Oil Arena.
All the best for the future, Ethan!
Before the squad broke up for the close season, Ethan was presented with the Wilson Cup, which is awarded by the Wilson family to their chosen Young Player / Most Improved Player of the Year (pictured below).
