Rovers are searching for a new head of player recruitment following the departure of Stuart Harvey.

Harvey had been with the club since 2015 and held the role of Head of Club Talent Identification and Player Analysis for the last three years.

Training Ground Guru are reporting that Harvey, who previously worked for Burnley prior to his arrival at Ewood Park, is set to head up the recruitment at Sunderland, though that is yet to be confirmed.

Rovers’ advertisement says they will be accepting applications up until April 14, but add: “Due to high-levels of interest, the above posts may close early so early application is advised.”

Sunderland have announced James Young has been appointed as Head of Data and Analysis, with Harvey’s role set to follow, as the club shake up their behind the scenes operation following their recent takeover.

Harvey arrived at Rovers and initially worked within their Academy recruitment, but since 2018 has headed up their first-team transfer team, working closely with manager Tony Mowbray who has keen to overhaul of the club’s recruitment team, and policy, with focus having moved towards the European market.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mowbray identified the club’s recruitment department as a key area to be improved following his first summer in charge.  He got the green light from owners Venky’s to invest heavily in software, and more analysts, which would allow Rovers to cover more ground, and study more players.

That was followed by the appointment of Glyn Chamberlain as head of European scouting, with assistant manager Mark Venus also working closely with Harvey behind the scenes.

The news comes at a pivotal time for Rovers who are moving into a summer transfer window which will likely see many changes, with several first-team players coming to the end of their contracts, and likely to be moved on, and therefore replaced.

Rovers' recruitment has certainly improved in recent windows, Thomas Kaminski's £450,000 signing from AA Gent last summer proving to be something of a bargain, while the six-figure deal for Crewe Alexandra captain Harry Pickering also looks to be good business.