Barnsley Destined for a Reunion with Ex-Academy Graduate

Out of Favour Luton Forward Set for League One Switch

Luton Town’s Jacob Brown looks set for a romantic return to Barnsley on a permanent deal, reports Football League World.

The 27-year-old has been pushing for a way out of Bedfordshire this transfer window, having made eight appearances for the Hatters this season, falling heavily out of favour under Jack Wilshere.

The forward has made 60 appearances for Luton, scoring seven goals, two of which came in the Premier League. Brown was previously a Barnsley academy graduate, making 82 senior appearances for the club between 2017 and 2020.

From Premier League Scorer to League One Bench Warmer

A vastly experienced player, the Scottish international has almost 200 EFL Championship appearances to his name, and was a key part of Barnsley’s squad the last time they were promoted to the second tier in 2019.

The Tykes have dropped off massively since Brown left the club for Stoke City half a decade ago, and at the time of writing sit 15th in EFL League One, 12 points outside of the play-offs, and five from the drop zone. With star strikers Reyes Cleary and Davis Keillor-Dunn linked with moves to the Championship, bringing in a forward is a necessity for Barnsley today.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨

Barnsley have entered late transfer talks with Luton Town in an effort to bring ex-Tykes star Jacob Brown back to Oakwell before the deadline, Football League World has learned 👀

Read more 👇 https://t.co/yl5jDP5CuA#BFC #Tykes #LTFC

— Football League World (@FootballLeagueW) February 2, 2026

Brown struggled with a knee injury at the beginning of the season and has since been kept out of the starting eleven by the likes of Nahki Wells and Jerry Yates. The latter departed Luton for Sheffield Wednesday a matter of days ago.

Just two years ago, Brown was scoring in the Premier League, but now finds himself stuck on the bench in the third tier as one of the last remaining members of Luton’s top-flight squad. Fortunately, his decline might be rescued upon his return to a club he is so familiar with.