Newcastle United have confirmed that Steve Nickson, their head of recruitment, will leave the club after nine years to join Wrexham, the Welsh club backed by US investors. Nickson will finish his notice period during the current transfer window but will not commence his new role at Wrexham until September 2.

Nickson, formerly a scout at Blackburn Rovers, has been a key figure at Newcastle, playing an instrumental role in the acquisitions of high-profile players including Joelinton, signed for £40 million, and Bruno Guimaraes, who joined for £33.3 million. He was also responsible for identifying undervalued talent such as Ayoze Perez, secured from Tenerife for £1.5 million and later sold to Leicester City for £30 million. His ability to deliver results was noted during periods of constrained budgets under previous ownership.

During the transition to the current ownership regime, Nickson received recognition from co-owner Amanda Staveley, who highlighted his extensive market knowledge and his critical contribution to forming a transfer committee after the Public Investment Fund's takeover of the club.

Prior to finalizing his move to Wrexham, Nickson had been linked with other clubs, including West Ham United and Birmingham City, with reports indicating his interest in joining the Hammers. However, negotiations ultimately saw him commit to the National League club, where he will begin his duties at the start of September.

Newcastle's recruitment responsibilities have been handed over to sporting director Ross Wilson, who is currently managing the club’s transfer dealings this summer. Nickson’s departure marks the end of a notable chapter in Newcastle’s scouting and recruitment setup as the club continues to evolve under new leadership.