Who is ex-Celtic chief Nick Hammond? Newcastle United’s short-term signing with a huge role to play

Newcastle United have added to their board with the appointment of former Celtic chief Nick Hammond.

Here, we take a look at exactly who Hammond is, his previous experience and how he’ll assist the Magpies ahead of the January transfer window:

What is Nick Hammond’s position at Newcastle United?

Hammond has joined Newcastle as a temporary consultant on a short-term deal.

He will fill the void left by the vacant sporting director role, with the club’s new owners carrying out a thorough process.

In the meantime, Frank McParland has also been advising Amanda Staveley & Co

Which other football clubs have Nick Hammond worked for?

Hammond was a goalkeeper at the likes of Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle and Reading before being forced to retire in 2000.

Not long after hanging up his boots, Hammond became the Royals’ youth academy director. Three years later, he landed the director of football position.

Indeed, Hammond played an integral and leading part in the club’s rise to the Premier League by appointing the manager who guided them there, Steve Coppell.

After a 20-year association with the Berkshire club, Hammond joined West Bromwich Albion as a technical director and then Celtic as head of football operations.

Hammond resigned from the role at Parkhead in March and remained out of work until assisting Newcastle’s new owners.

How will Nick Hammond help Newcastle United?

First and foremost, Hammond will add experience to the new-look board following the £305million Saudi Arabian-takeover.

With the January transfer window just weeks away, Hammond is set to work closely with Eddie Howe to sign players.

Next month’s window could be season-defining for Newcastle, who currently sit 19th in the Premier League, three points from safety.

United are keen to add to their playing squad and NewcastleWorld understands Kieran Tripper, Abdou Diallo and Lloyd Kelly are all targets.

Hammond will play a big huge part over the next six weeks or so as he works on the transfer foot and assists the board,

What did Eddie Howe say about working with a sporting director?

“I have no update,” Howe told reports before the 4-0 Leicester defeat

“I don’t really think it’s for me to update you on that, I think that’s above me.

“I’ll work with whoever the club choose for that role and be excited to do so. It’s ultimately a position that the club want to fill and I embrace that.

“But my focus is on coaching the team.”

Who has been linked with the sporting director role?

Former Chelsea and Monaco chief Michael Emenalo reportedly claimed to have turned down the job, however part-owner and director Mehrdad Ghodoussi strongly denied reports on Twitter.

He tweeted: “Contrary to a newspaper report, Michael Emenalo was never offered the job of Sporting Director or Director of Football at Newcastle United. #NUFC #FactsMatter”.