Sheffield Wednesday announce former Manchester United, Arsenal and Cardiff City man as new head of recruitment

The 47-year-old joins Wednesday less than a month ahead of the January transfer window and has spoken of a long-term vision for the club's recruitment strategy.

He has worked with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in his 28-year career working behind the scenes in football, rising from an academy scout with the Gunners in the late 1990s to holding various roles in spells between the two giants in both youth and senior talent identification and scouting.

In October 2020 he became head of first team and under-23 scouting at Cardiff City, leaving the role in the summer. Among the players he brought to South Wales is former Owls defender Mark McGuinness. He has since worked as a self-employed football consultant.

Wednesday manager Danny Röhl is believed to have had a hand in the process of choosing a recruitment head in a role that has been vacant since David Downes formally left the club for Blackpool in June. Luke Dowling assisted with the Owls' transfer business towards the back end of the summer but was operating on a short-term deal.

A Wednesday statement read in part: "Sheffield Wednesday are pleased to announce the appointment of experienced Head of Recruitment Kevin Beadell.

"Kevin joins the Owls, working closely with manager Danny Röhl and leading the club’s recruitment team, following long-term spells with two giants of English football."