The Sheffield Wednesday academy has strengthened its ranks once again with the appointment of vastly experienced scout Ken Ryder.
Ken, who has previously worked at Swindon, Wolves, Middlesbrough and Shrewsbury, has taken up the role as Head of Recruitment.
Ken said: “It all came about 11 weeks ago when discussions began with myself and Dean Ramsdale about the EPPP and which direction the club were heading.
“I’m very familiar with many of the staff already here, I worked with Dave Jones at Wolves, I know David Byrne and Neil Thompson very well.
“I’ve had some very positive discussions with Dean and now I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this role.
“Obviously my aim is to step up the recruitment side of things at the academy. There’s no better satisfaction than bringing in a player from a young age and seeing them make it to the first team.
“I’ve got a lot of experience at academy level, a lot of contacts and I want to bring all my experience here.”
Academy manager Dean Ramsdale said: “Richard Groves who was Head of Recruitment when I came in to post has left his position through retirement.
“He will still remain an integral part of the department because he is going to maintain his child welfare role.
“But what that has allowed me to do is bring in a new Head of Recruitment and I’m absolutely delighted that Ken Ryder has come in to take that role.
“There was a lot of interest in the vacant position but I decided that Ken fitted in with what we are trying to do as far as what our philosophies are and the type of people that I want around the place.
“Ken will freshen up the recruitment part of the academy and I’m delighted we have got him on board.”