Chelsea have announced Paul Winstanley in a new role as Director of Global Talent and Transfers.
The 43-year-old joins the club from Brighton only two months after Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in a similar move from the south coast. Crucially, he is able to start the role immediately and is set to play a key role as the January transfer window approaches.
Winstanley is the third appointment at director level that Chelsea have announced after snapping up Laurence Stewart from Monaco, and Southampton's Joe Shields in their new look recruitment department, although he is not able to start at SW6 until he is finished with Southampton.
READ MORE Chelsea set to make millions from FIFA during World Cup that will pay off Graham Potter demands
In an announcement on the club website, Chelsea confirmed the news of Winstanley's arrival, with co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali saying: "Paul is going to be a great addition to Chelsea. He’s highly respected and is a key senior addition as we continue to build a world class sporting team with a huge depth of talent, ambition and commitment who will work closely with us to drive Chelsea forward. Paul shares our philosophy and will fit seamlessly into the organisation."
It comes as part of a wider revamp of the internal model at the club after Petr Cech, Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia all left their senior roles in the summer, leaving Boehly and Eghbali to act as interim sporting directors. Winstanley worked alongside Potter with the Seagulls to create one of the best run recruitment systems in the league and formed a great relationship with new Chelsea addition Kyle Macaulay, too.
Winstanley also gave a message, adding: "I’m thrilled to be joining Chelsea and to continue working with Graham Potter and his team. There is a real sense of excitement and momentum around the new ownership and this project. I’m looking forward to working with such an outstanding group of colleagues as the club moves into a new era."
Brighton themselves issued a statement about the move with director David Weir saying: "Paul has been an important part of our recruitment and overall progress in his time at the club, and naturally we did not want to see him leave.
"However, we understand that he sees this as an exciting opportunity to move into a more senior position and a different challenge at a new club."
Deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber added, "We wish Paul well and thank him for all he has done during his time at the club. In line with our club’s policy of being prepared with immediate high quality cover in the event we lose key staff, Sam Jewell will step up as acting head of recruitment, supported by our technical director David Weir.
"We have an excellent recruitment team and infrastructure in place, who will also give Sam all the support and expertise he needs. So, while we are disappointed to lose Paul, we know we can absorb this change, as we move forward into the January transfer window."
Winstanley also sent a message to the Brighton fans: "It has been the most memorable, successful and enjoyable period of my career. I would like to thank everyone at Brighton, but most importantly Tony Bloom and Paul Barber for the opportunity they gave me along with their unbelievable support.
"I've also worked with some amazing people. I want to thank everyone at the club and not least the managers from Sami, Chris, Graham and Roberto. I’ve also been proud to lead our recruitment team; and work with two first-class technical directors in Dan and David.
"It's not been an easy decision and it has taken me some time, but the opportunity was too great to turn down and is a personal challenge I want to take up. While I had no desire to leave Brighton, as the club has been amazing to me, this was something I had to pursue.
"I’m incredibly proud to have played my part at Brighton & Hove Albion over the past eight years. I wish everyone connected to the club well for the future. The club is incredibly well run, with brilliant people everywhere, and is something quite special and I have no doubt it has a great future ahead with Roberto at the helm."
Winstanley spent eight years at Brighton after joining as head of scouting in 2014 from Derby. He helped to lead the clubs transfer strategy as they progressed to the Premier League.
Chelsea are also expected to announce Christopher Vivell as their sporting director too.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea set to make millions from FIFA during World Cup that will pay off Graham Potter demands
Chelsea fans disagree on Graham Potter verdict as Todd Boehly sent emergency Thomas Tuchel plea
Eden Hazard offered shock Premier League transfer after World Cup as Chelsea plot January deal
Full list of Chelsea transfer targets going to Qatar 2022 World Cup amid Boehly scouting mission
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
