Newcastle finally strike deal with Brighton for Dan Ashworth

Dan Ashworth

will become the club's sporting director after

got Brighton and Hove Albion to let him leave right away.

The former Football Association director has been signed by the Magpies. This is the latest big move by

Eddie Howe

's team as they try to build a bright future after taking over last year.

Ashworth joined

in 2018 and quit in February, but he was still under contract with the Seagulls because he was taking a long time off to work on his garden. After talking between the two clubs, he is now free to take the job at St. James' Park.

"Newcastle United is pleased to announce that Dan Ashworth will become the club's sporting director," the club said in a statement. "Brighton & Hove Albion have agreed to release him from his current contract obligations immediately."

"The terms of this deal will stay between the clubs and are subject to approval by the Premier League. After the relevant approval process is done, Newcastle United will share more information."

Before joining Brighton four years ago, Ashworth was the FA's director of elite development. He was given that job in 2012 and stayed there for two years. During his time at the Amex Stadium, the club has grown slowly, with this season's ninth-place finish in the Premier League being their best ever.

Since late last year, when it was said that Newcastle had been given permission to talk terms with Ashworth, there had been a lot of talk about them getting together.

David Weir, who used to play for Rangers and

Everton

, has been named as Ashworth's replacement by Brighton. Weir, a former Scotland international, has been filling in for Ashworth since February.

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