YOUNG Geelong recruit Jarrad Jansen will wear the No.16 guernsey for the Brisbane Lions next season that was made famous by champion forward Jonathan Brown.

After retiring late in 2014, Brown's number was 'rested' last season, but at a presentation at the Gabba on Friday afternoon its new wearer was unveiled.

Jansen, a strong midfielder, was traded to the Lions during the off-season after spending two years at Geelong playing with its VFL team.

Watch: Jansen Highlights

The 20-year-old was all smiles when Brown presented him with the guernsey.

"It's an absolute privilege to be taking the jumper off Browny," Jansen said.

"He's a legend of the club, it's a legendary number.

"There is an element of pressure, but when you're training with your teammates, you forget about that pressure.

"I'm very grateful. The great man has made it famous. I won't take the opportunity for granted."

Brown played 256 games for the Lions, won three premierships, three best and fairests, two All Australian guernseys and captained them for seven seasons.

He said handing over the number to Jansen was a sense of closure on his own career.

"I'm glad he's not a forward. There would have been unfair pressure if he was a key forward, so I'm glad it's gone to someone other than a key forward," Brown said.

"He's got the right attitude, and for me it's all about the right attitude.

"I think it's a gutsy move (coming to Brisbane). He's out of his comfort zone. He's been at a great footy club at Geelong for a couple of years and he's pursuing further opportunities at a club starting at the bottom.

"I think it'll be a move that's rewarded.

"We want people in Brisbane that want to be in Brisbane, they want to wear the mighty Lions jumper, it's a proud jumper.

"It's important the players actually want to wear that jumper."