The Magpies are set to revamp their transfer department with former Benfica talent spotter

Newcastle United have landed highly-rated transfer supremo Tomas Amaral as their new head of recruitment.

The Portuguese talent spotter comes in following 2026 departures for chief scout Steve Nickson and football executive Andy Howe. Amaral has enjoyed previous success at Spartak Moscow and Benfica and his major transfer success story was Argentina World Cup winner and £125m Man City star Enzo Fernandez, who he lured to Lisbon from River Plate in 2022.

A Newcastle statement announced: "We are pleased to announce the appointment of Tomas Amaral as the club's new Head of First Team Recruitment.

"Tomas arrives with extensive experience across European football, having built a reputation for talent identification, market intelligence and strategic squad planning through roles in Portugal, Spain and Russia.

"The Portuguese was most recently Sporting Director at Spartak Moscow. He previously held a scouting leadership position at Benfica, where he played a key role during a period that culminated in the club’s most recent Primeira Liga title in 2023.

"Tomás' appointment forms part of Newcastle United's ongoing strengthening of its talent identification and recruitment structure. Reporting to Sporting Director Ross Wilson, Tomas will lead the club's first team scouting operation and will play an important role in further expanding the club's market presence and relationships across key territories.

"As part of the department's evolution, Paul Midgely will also report directly to Ross Wilson in overseeing Academy recruitment and global emerging talent scouting."

Speaking about the appointment of his new transfer chief, sporting director Ross Wilson said: "Tomás' appointment is an important step as we reshape and strengthen our recruitment structure.

"It was important that we identified a leader who could further enhance our capability and help drive our long- term ambitions, and Tomás has established an excellent reputation for his strategic approach to talent identification.

"He is highly respected across European football and brings significant experience, outstanding market knowledge and a strong network of relationships.

"I am delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United and look forward to working closely with him.”

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Amaral said: "It is with great pride and a strong sense of responsibility that I join Newcastle United, a historic club with passionate supporters who have high expectations and ambitions.

"From my very first conversations with Ross Wilson, I immediately understood the vision and the direction the club wants to take over the coming years.

"I strongly share the ideas and ambitions of the people at the club, and I am determined to play my part in contributing to Newcastle United’s success. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started at a club with such high standards."

When asked in early 2025 who is best transfer success story was during his time at Benfica, Amaral said: "Enzo Fernandez. I'm passionate about him. He was the best player."

Fernandez cost Benfica just £8.5m in July 2022 before starring at the World Cup with Argentina that winter. He was the bought by Chelsea for £106m and sold to Man City for £125m.

Amaral said in an interview with a Portuguese outlet in 2025: "I saw it, and we saw it. But it's important to say that I would be lying if I said I already knew he would make the leap he made six months later, despite all the value and performance he had at Benfica. Anyone who says they already knew, in my opinion, is lying."

Amaral also had stints at Eibar, Real Valladolid, and Granada earlier in his career but will kick off Newcastle's recruitment drive for 2027 and beyond.