Official: Key Newcastle United departure confirmed just days after summer transfer window closes
Newcastle United transfer chief departs following the end of the summer transfer window.
Wrexham have appointed Steve Nickson as their new sporting director following his departure from Newcastle United.
Nickson informed Newcastle in June that he would be stepping down as their head of recruitment but agreed to stay on until the end of the summer transfer window.
The 61-year-old joined the Magpies from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 in a youth recruitment role before being promoted to head of recruitment under Rafael Benitez in 2017. He remained in his post following the club’s PIF-led takeover in October 2021, helping the club identify several key players during a period of significant transfer investment.
Nickson visited Brazil in January 2022 to finalise the £40million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon. Other key additions such as Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali also arrived under Nickson’s watch.
While Nickson has retained a senior role within the recruitment team, recent appointments have seen others take a more prominent lead on transfers.
It’s understood Nickson attracted interest from West Ham United but chose Hollywood-owned Wrexham, whose run of three consecutive promotions came to an end last season after narrowly missing out on the Championship play-offs.
Nickson will be responsible for ‘establishing and leading the club’s scouting and player recruitment function, supporting first team squad planning, overseeing football administration, sports medical and performance and the academy, while helping to develop the systems and processes required to support Wrexham’s ambitions on and off the pitch’.
Steve Nickson joins Wrexham from Newcastle United
On joining Wrexham, Nickson said: “I am very excited to be joining Wrexham AFC as Sporting Director.
“This is a Club with incredible momentum, a unique culture and a clear ambition. The journey so far has been remarkable, with three consecutive promotions and a seventh-place finish in the Club’s first season back in the second tier.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Phil Parkinson, the coaching staff and the wider sporting team to continue developing the Club’s recruitment, scouting and football operations.
“There is already a strong foundation in place, and my focus will be on helping Wrexham take the next step by building the structure, talent pathways and football operations needed to support the Club’s ambition of reaching the Premier League.”
Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson said: “On behalf of our co-Chairmen, Rob and Ryan, the Board and the entire management team, I am delighted to welcome Steve to Wrexham AFC.
“As the Club continues to grow, it is essential that we keep strengthening the football infrastructure required to support that growth. Recruitment, scouting, player development, performance and football operations are all critical areas as we look to build a Club capable of competing sustainably at higher levels.
“Steve brings significant experience from the Premier League and wider football industry, and he understands what is required to identify and recruit talent in a highly competitive environment.
“He will work closely with Phil Parkinson and the football staff, while also helping us build out the wider sporting capabilities of the Club. We believe Steve is the right person to help lead this next phase of development, and I am confident he will fit well with Wrexham’s unique culture, values and ambitions.”