Arsenal make key backroom appointment as Andrea Berta shapes new era

Chris Wheatley

Arsenal make key backroom appointment as Andrea Berta shapes new era image

Stuart MacFarlane

Arsenal have promoted head of recruitment James Ellis to the role of technical director.

Ellis, who joined from Fulham in 2021, will now work closely alongside sporting director Andrea Berta, the former Atletico Madrid executive who replaced Edu Gaspar earlier this year.

The move is part of Berta's restructuring of the club's football operations, which saw Jason Ayto previously depart his position as assistant sporting director.

Talks had been held with Matteo Tognozzi, previously of Juventus and Granada, but Ellis had impressed those inside the club with his vision and ability.

Ellis was handed greater responsibility under Edu and has since established himself as a key figure in the recruitment set-up.

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His work has attracted attention from other clubs, but Arsenal are understood to be delighted to have secured his long-term future.

The Gunners have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze among the high profile signings who have arrived at Emirates Stadium.

Several outgoings are still being worked on with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior close to leaving, while Piero Hincapie is expected to join on a loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

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Chris Wheatley

Chris Wheatley is a leading football journalist who has spent over a decade covering the Premier League and European football. He is known for breaking exclusive stories and trusted coverage of clubs, players and the transfer market. Over the years, he has interviewed some of the sport’s most influential figures and consistently delivered stories that shape the football conversation.