Chelsea confirm appointment of Paul Winstanley from Brighton

Chelsea have announced Paul Winstanley as the club's new Director of Global Talent and Transfers.

Winstanley joins after eight years at Brighton, where he operated as head of recruitment for current Blues manager Graham Potter.

"I’m thrilled to be joining Chelsea and to continue working with Graham Potter and his team," said Winstanley, who joins the club immediately.

"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."

Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added: "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."

Winstanley follows Laurence Stewart in joining Chelsea's new-look recruitment team, with Boehly optimistic of adding a handful of extra faces as he looks to reshuffle the club's approach to transfers.

Christopher Vivell is expected to join in another director role in the near future, while Joe Shields has agreed to leave Southampton and move to Stamford Bridge in a lead recruitment role.