Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Ross Wilson as their new sporting director after activating a release clause in his Nottingham Forest contract.
Wilson, 41, leaves his position as chief football officer at the City Ground after 18 months to take up the key executive role vacated by Paul Mitchell at the end of last season.
Newcastle identified the former Rangers and Southampton official as their preferred candidate following a thorough search for a long-term leader of the club’s recruitment and sporting strategy.
Both clubs confirmed the move on Thursday, though the financial details of Wilson’s release remain undisclosed.
He will now oversee Newcastle’s sporting operations across the men’s, women’s, and academy teams, with responsibility for player recruitment, development pathways, and broader football strategy.
“This is such a special club, and I fully understand the passion, ambition and expectations of our incredible supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our ownership to keep developing and building an even stronger Newcastle United,” Wilson said after his appointment.
“My conversations with ownership have been extremely positive, and I’ve also been in regular contact with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson.
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Ross Wilson has a good track record and will be hoping to bring success to Newcastle
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“The trust, cohesion and alignment we’re building already feels strong, and we believe that being united as a team will be so important as we continue to move the club forward together.”
Wilson’s track record made him an appealing choice for Newcastle’s hierarchy.
At Rangers, he played a key role in assembling the squad that ended Celtic’s domestic dominance with the 2020–21 Premiership title under Steven Gerrard.
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Ross Wilson arrives at Newcastle as a replacement for Paul Mitchell
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Before that, he helped modernise Southampton’s recruitment model during a period in which the club produced and signed several top Premier League players.
At Forest, Wilson was credited with introducing improved football structures and processes after the club’s return to the Premier League, although his tenure was marked by mixed results on the pitch amid heavy transfer turnover.
Newcastle’s ownership group, led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, believes his experience in building sustainable football frameworks will be vital as the club seeks to consolidate its place among England’s elite.
Head coach Eddie Howe is believed to be enthusiastic about Wilson’s arrival and sees him as a figure capable of supporting Newcastle’s long-term ambitions, particularly in navigating Financial Fair Play restrictions while continuing to strengthen the squad.
“I’m excited to work with everyone across the different areas within our football department,” Wilson said.
“There’s already excellent work being done here, from the first team to the women’s team and academy.
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Eddie Howe is enthusiastic about the appointment of Ross Wilson as Newcastle sporting director
| REUTERS“My aim is to build on that, strengthen our structures over time, and work with our staff to create environments where players and staff can continue to thrive.”
Wilson’s appointment marks another significant step in Newcastle’s ongoing transformation since the club’s 2021 takeover.
With Champions League qualification secured and pressure growing to compete on multiple fronts, his arrival signals the board’s commitment to professionalising every level of the club’s football operations.
His first task will likely involve planning for the January transfer window and assessing squad depth across all levels, working closely with Howe and the existing recruitment team.