Everton confirm capture of Leeds United transfer advisor after Angus Kinnear exit

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Everton have formally confirmed the appointment of transfer guru Nick Hammond, who acted as a recruitment advisor to Leeds United for two years.

Hammond’s move to Merseyside grew to be widely expected amid whispers that departing CEO Angus Kinnear was looking to take personnel with him to the Toffees, who have announced a shake-up of their boardroom model under new owners the Friedkin Group.

Sources at Leeds had admitted it was plausible for Hammond - a former Swindon and Reading goalkeeper - to depart for Bramley-Moore Dock given he was in an advisory role at Elland Road. The club had announced him as an ‘interim football advisor’ upon his initial arrival in June 2023 before his stay extended.

A former transfer chief at Newcastle United and Celtic, Hammond’s expertise was highly-valued by senior figures at Leeds. So when he recommended Adam Underwood to take on the role of sporting director, and thus lead club transfer conversations, his opinion held great weight.

Underwood had meanwhile impressed 49ers chiefs and his promotion was confirmed in April, with Robbie Evans being named as the new managing director amid a swathe of structural changes at United, prompted by Kinnear’s exit.

Everton have now announced their revamped ‘football leadership team’ that skews away from a director of football regime. Within a statement, the Toffees confirmed Hammond’s arrival.

It said: “Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the Club has appointed Nick Cox as Technical Director, James Smith as Director of Scouting and Recruitment, Chris Howarth to direct the Club's football strategy and analytics operations and Nick Hammond to lead the Club's player trading activity.

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“Nick Hammond has forged an impressive career in coaching and recruitment since his retirement as a player in 2000. He arrives at the club having most recently worked as a transfer consultant at both Leeds United and Newcastle United.

“His prior experience as a Director of Football for 13 years at Reading, Technical Director at West Brom for three years and as Head of Football Operations at Celtic gives Nick an extensive perspective on all aspects of football operations, adding to his credentials as a skilled specialist in transfer dealings.”

Everton travel to Elland Road for Leeds United’s first fixture back in the Premier League on Monday, August 18.

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