Wrexham poach Newcastle transfer guru in huge coup for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s project

WREXHAM have secured Newcastle’s head of recruitment as their new sporting director ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season. Steve Nickson, 61, will join the Red Dragons in the newly-created role as they push for promotion to the top-flight. Steve Nickson is set to join Wrexham as their new sporting director from Newcastle Credit: https://www.nufc.co.uk/ Wrexham missed out on the play-offs after finishing a best-ever seventh last season Credit: Getty After 15 years at St James’ Park, the recruitment veteran will make his way to The Racecourse Ground on September 2 after the transfer window slams shut. The Athletic reported that Nickson is working his notice period before making the 200-mile journey to North Wales. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Nickson has been with the Magpies since the summer of 2011 when he joined as head of youth recruitment. Four years following the appointment, Nickson took the lead of recruitment for the first team too. Sven Botman and Joelinton are but two of the prospects unearthed by the transfer guru. Last summer, Nickson and interim first-team lead Andy Howe – boss Eddie Howe‘s nephew – worked together to oversee incoming transfers once Paul Mitchell departed as sporting director. But his departure does not come as a surprise. Reports in the spring suggested that Nickson – who was previously at Blackburn’s academy project – was set to depart from the Premier League side with all parties “comfortable with the situation”. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continue their project to reach the Premier League Credit: AFP The Championship was tipped as the talent spotter’s next home to lead another scouting operation. West Ham and Birmingham City were both linked but it was Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s project that beat them to the post. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson gave the green light for Nickson’s move and has been involved in the talks throughout. The departure brings yet another question mark over Newcastle’s wider plans. Wrexham beat Manchester United 1-0 in their first pre-season friendly in the Helsinki. They kick off their promotion campaign away at Cardiff City on August 17. Comment now