Newcastle United has reportedly agreed to terms with West Ham United talent scout Delroy Banks.
According to West Ham’s official website, Ebanks attends “hundreds” of football games across the country and beyond each season.
Every year, the recruitment manager for the U12-23s leads a large department of talent scouts at the Academy of Football, gathering extensive information on “thousands” of young footballers.
Traveling, data analysis, observation, and profiling are all part of his daily routine, and he appears to be on his way north.
Newcastle have ‘agreed a deal’ to bring Ebanks to St. James’ Park, according to Football Insider.
After resigning from his position at the Hammers, he is said to have ‘already started working’ for the North East club.
Ebanks has accepted a newly created recruitment role as their new southern lead scout, and will be based down south looking for rising stars.
The Tynesiders intend to make many more appointments as part of sporting director Dan Ashworth’s ambitious recruitment drive, and they intend to expand their scouting network abroad, with up to seven international scouts potentially appointed.
They are looking for scouts for France, Germany, Holland, and Belgium; Spain and Portugal; Italy, Switzerland, and Croatia; Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Serbia; as well as Argentina and Uruguay.
Meanwhile, West Ham is on the lookout for a new academy recruitment manager to take over for the respected Ebanks.
Hiring Ebanks from one of their Premier League rivals appears to be top Magpies recruitment.
Colchester United sporting director Dmitri Halajko, who worked with Ebanks as West Ham’s reserve team manager, described him as “one of the top guys around in the south” in an interview with The Chronicle:
“Del was one of those people who you could always rely on.
“If he said there was a good player at a certain club or out of a club that he wanted to bring in, you wouldn’t feel you had to question it or look at that player yourself. You could always tell when they arrived at training that they were at the level.
Del pays close attention to detail.
“He’s also good with people. He was always the type of person who would call you and tell you everything.
“He wouldn’t just be sending dossiers on players, which is a part of it. He would call you and give you a few hints and tips.
“He would also look after the player once they were in. He wouldn’t just abandon them; he’d assist them in settling in. When the players were struggling or upset, he made it his mission to do everything he could to help.”
Nonetheless, the Toon will be hoping that Ebanks can help them find some gems to sign with their financial muscle.
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