Newcastle United have appointed Ross Wilson as sporting director after triggering Nottingham Forest’s release clause.
Wilson, who previously played for Southampton and Rangers, takes the position vacated by Paul Mitchell at the end of last season after being identified by Newcastle’s board as the right person to lead the club’s recruitment and sporting strategy.
The 41-year-old leaves his role as Forest’s chief football officer after two-and-a-half years at the City Ground. “The terms of his release will remain confidential,” both clubs said.
Manager Eddie Howe is said to be excited about the prospect of working with Wilson, who he sees as the man who can continue to grow the club off the pitch and ensure Newcastle compete in every way possible.
At the club under Wilson’s leadership, he has helped build structures, put in place new processes that directly benefit the football side of the business and implement a clear and coordinated strategy moving forward.
“This is a truly special club and I fully understand the passion, ambition and expectations of our amazing supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our owners to continue to develop and build an even stronger Newcastle United,” Wilson said.
“Conversations with the owners have been very positive and I have also been in regular contact with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson. The trust, cohesion and coordination we are building already feels strong and I believe it will be vital that we stick together as a team if we are to continue to take the club forward together.”
Van Dijk is one of Wilson’s best signings from his former club
Virgil van Dijk has become one of the best defenders in the world.
Wilson will be responsible for Newcastle’s recruitment. But what can fans expect? We’ve picked out some of his best signings from his previous roles.
Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool captain joined Southampton from Celtic for £13m in the summer of 2015 before selling him to the Premier League champions for £75m less than three years later.
Elliot Anderson
Elliott Anderson has become one of England’s biggest prospects at Forest.
Newcastle fans will be hoping Wilson can work his magic to bring the England midfielder back to the north-east after PSR issues forced them to sell him to Nottingham Forest for £35m in the summer of 2024.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Forest signed the Chelsea winger for just under £5m in the summer of 2023 and revitalized his career by playing a key role in his return to Europe.
Nikola Milenkovic
The Serbian defender signed from Forest for just £12m last summer and has been one of the Premier League’s best performers in his first season at the club.
Anthony Luna
Wilson is set to reunite with Elanga at Newcastle by bringing him from Manchester United to Forest for £15m in the summer of 2023.
