Newcastle name Tomás Amaral head of recruitment

Newcastle United has announced the appointment of Tomás Amaral, a 35-year‑old Portuguese, as head of recruitment for the first team. The decision was communicated via an official club statement, which highlighted the new executive’s European experience. Amaral will lead the search for players in line with the club’s ambitions.

European experience of Amaral

The executive built his career in Portugal, Spain and Russia, holding scouting and sporting director roles. In Portugal he was responsible for the scouting department at Benfica, contributing to the Primeira Liga title won by the club in 2023. In Spain he worked for Real Valladolid, SD Eibar and Granada, expanding his network of contacts in the local leagues.

More recently, Amaral held the role of sporting director at Spartak Moscow, a Russian club, where he coordinated market activities in the 2024 season. His experience in talent management was described as “vast” and “strategic” by Newcastle United. His profile was deemed ideal to strengthen the recruitment department of the English club.

Reorganisation of the recruitment department

Amaral’s appointment follows the departure of veteran Steve Nickson, who left Newcastle to join Wrexham, and Andy Howe, senior football executive. Paul Midgley, previously head of youth recruitment, will take charge of global talent development, reporting directly to Ross Wilson. Wilson, Newcastle’s sporting director, oversaw the department’s restructuring, defining clearer roles between the first team and the Academy.

Amaral will have exclusive responsibility for identifying and evaluating players for the first team, thus separating senior recruitment from emerging recruitment. The new setup provides that Midgley handles recruitment for the Academy and the discovery of talent globally. The revamped structure aims to improve the consistency of market decisions.

Comments from Wilson and Amaral

Ross Wilson described Amaral’s arrival as “an important step” for the club’s long‑term plan, highlighting his reputation in talent assessment and knowledge of European markets. Amaral said he is joining Newcastle United “with great pride and a strong sense of responsibility”, acknowledging the high expectations of the fans. He added that he immediately understood the club’s vision in early conversations with Wilson and is determined to contribute to the team’s success.

Newcastle United, which has invested heavily in the squad in recent years, hopes that the new recruitment leadership will bring greater consistency to transfer strategies. Amaral will start working immediately to identify players capable of improving the first team and supporting the long‑term sporting objectives. The move completes an important phase of the ongoing strengthening of the club’s technical department.