Sunderland AFC is delighted to welcome Stuart Harvey to the club as its new Head of Player Recruitment.
Joining SAFC following a six-year tenure at Blackburn Rovers, Harvey started his career with Burnley as the Turf Moor outfit’s Northern Ireland Representative before progressing into the role of Head of Academy Recruitment.
He moved to Ewood Park in July 2015 to undertake a similar role and was later appointed Head of Club Talent Identification and Player Analysis, whilst also assuming responsibility for Rovers’ club recruitment in January 2019.
Following his arrival, the Northern Irishman said: “To be a part of the infrastructure the new ownership is putting in place is an honour. Sunderland AFC is steeped in history and tradition, but we also have a blank canvas to implement an innovative model that promotes sustainable, long-term and evidence-based recruitment across the Academy and First Team. There are far too many people to name who have helped me throughout my career, but I would like to place on record my gratitude to the staff at Blackburn, and in particular the ownership and directors, Tony Mowbray, Mark Venus and my recruitment team, for the trust they placed in me and the outstanding support they provided. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and I am incredibly excited to get started.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added: “Effective player recruitment is pivotal to our strategy and its vital that we create and develop an approach that takes every age group into consideration. Stuart will lead on all aspects of player recruitment and we are delighted that he has chosen to join our project – he will be instrumental in the creation of our player recruitment strategy. We are seeking success and sustainability and this area of our football operations will be crucial for us as we strive to achieve these things over the long term”.