Newcastle United have agreed a departure date with head of recruitment Steve Nickson, with the talent spotter set to see out his notice during the remainder of the current transfer window.
Nickson will not be able to start work with new club Wrexham until September 2 as he joins the US-backed Welsh club.
Background and exit details
The ex-Blackburn Rovers scout was set to quit the Magpies after nine years on Tyneside, as exclusively reported on June 15. Chronicle Live reported on July 18 that Nickson is working a notice period after agreeing to leave the club earlier this summer. His autumn starting date means he will not be able to contribute to the Championship side's current window.
Nickson was initially linked with West Ham after expressing an interest in joining the Hammers, and while his final destination is still to be revealed, both Wrexham and Birmingham City have been in the mix for his services.
Nickson's legacy at Newcastle
Nickson was the key man in signings such as £40million star Joelinton and the bargain £33.3m signing of Bruno Guimaraes. But even when he was working with a limited budget under Mike Ashley, he delivered by sourcing talent such as Ayoze Perez from Tenerife for just £1.5m before he was sold to Leicester City for £30m.
Nickson was singled out for praise by co-owner Amanda Staveley during her time as director at St James' Park. Speaking then, the Ripon financier said: "Mehrdad and I and our PIF colleagues went up to the club and it was a lonely place. Fortunately, we have an amazing head of recruitment in Steve Nickson, who has been with the club for a long time and has a really deep knowledge of the player markets. So we were able to quickly put together a transfer committee."
Newcastle's current transfer activity
Newcastle have already turned the page on the recruitment front with sporting director Ross Wilson leading the way on transfers this summer. The Magpies have brought Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure through the door so far but are eyeing at least three more signings before the big kick off.
