Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr has expressed strong confidence that forward Jodi Brown will develop into a world-class player following her recent signing with Portugal's SL Benfica. Brown, 22, announced her three-year deal with the prestigious club on Instagram on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in her budding soccer career.
Busby, reflecting on Brown's transition from collegiate to professional soccer, stated, "Obviously she's come from a good program, but it's a lot different when you're a pro every day and you're responsible and you're in a different environment with other pros. It's going to be a little bit of a reset for her as well, similar to when she kind of started college, where she's going to come in as a rookie and she'll have to deal with those expectations coming in as a talented freshman into Florida State."
However, Busby remains confident in Brown's potential. "But she's a quality player and more importantly, a quality human being," he said. "So I've no doubt she'll, you know, she'll be in that there'll be an adjustment period, but I have no doubt she'll go on to be a great pro."
Brown's journey to this point is a testament to her dedication and talent. She recently graduated from Florida State University (FSU) with a Bachelor's degree in Humanities. During her time at FSU, she was instrumental in the team's success, helping them secure NCAA Division 1 Women's Soccer titles in 2021 and 2023. Additionally, Brown's contributions were pivotal in FSU's consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference titles from 2020 to 2023.
Internationally, Brown has been a key player for Jamaica's national team since 2018. Her participation in two FIFA Women's World Cups has highlighted her skill and tenacity on the global stage. In 2023, she was part of the historic Jamaican squad that advanced to the round of 16, an unprecedented achievement for the Reggae Girlz. Brown's efforts in the group stage were particularly noteworthy as she helped secure 0-0 draws against powerhouse teams France and Brazil and contributed to Jamaica's first-ever World Cup victory with a 1-0 win over Panama.
In her Instagram announcement, Brown shared her excitement and gratitude, stating, "I am proud and honored to sign my first professional contract for such a big institution as Benfica. I’d like to thank my family, MVA, FSU, Hue Menzies, and everyone who helped me get to this point. Becoming a professional player has been my dream since I started playing soccer as a kid in Jamaica, and I can’t wait to win many titles with this club ❤️"