Ex-Aston Villa man Ian Atkins has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Ian Atkins has joined up with Wolverhampton Wanderers, adding a new face to their recruitment team.
Wolves were quiet in the summer transfer window despite qualifying for the Europa League, bringing in Jesus Vallejo and Patrick Cutrone to strengthen their side whilst securing permanent deals for Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker.
The transfer window closed on Thursday, meaning there will be no additions until January, but Wolves already appear to be making plans for future windows.
It’s claimed that Atkins has now joined the Wolves recruitment team, and will be tasked with the job of identifying youngsters around Europe for Wolves to sign for the future.
Atkins, 62, has been out of football since being sacked by Wolves’ Midlands rivals Aston Villa in September 2018, but now returns to help Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Atkins, a former manager, has since turned his hand to scouting, taking important roles with Sunderland and Everton, before becoming head of European recruitment at Villa.
The report notes that Atkins recommended a host of signings to Villa, including John McGinn, Tammy Abraham and Anwar El Ghazi, who played key roles in their promotion last season.
Atkins also picked out John Stones and Romelu Lukaku for Everton, meaning Wolves may well be excited about his arrival – even if Villa let him go in the Championship almost a year ago.
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