Newcastle United confirm Dan Ashworth as new sporting director

 

FA technical director Dan Ashworth takes part in a press conference at Wembley Stadium in London on December 1, 2016. 

Newcastle United have confirmed the arrival of Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director.

Since their Saudi-backed takeover was completed in October the club's new owners have made modernising their operations a priority.

As reported by 90min, Ashworth was soon identified as their number-one target and the club announced his appointment in February. However, they did so before reaching an agreement with Brighton, for whom the 51-year-old was working as technical director.

Ashworth has been on gardening leave since then with Brighton holding out for around £5m from Newcastle to terminate his contract.

An agreement between the two clubs has finally been reached, with Newcastle confirming his arrival in a statement on their official website.

"Newcastle United are delighted to announce that Dan Ashworth will become the club's sporting director after an agreement was reached with Brighton & Hove Albion to release him from his current contractual obligations with immediate effect.

"The terms of this agreement will remain confidential between the clubs and are subject to Premier League approval.

"Newcastle United will issue further information following the relevant approval process."

Prior to moving to Brighton Ashworth worked at the FA where he was one of the principal contributors to the 'England DNA' report credited with turning the national team's flagging fortunes around.

He is now set to oversee another busy transfer window for the Magpies as they plot an assault on the top half of the Premier League table.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Burnley's James Tarkowski and Atletico Madrid wing-back Renan Lodi are all early targets, while Newcastle remain interested in young striker Hugo Ekitike - who they chased in January.