Paul Mitchell will depart Newcastle United less than a year after joining as sporting director.
Newcastle United announced on Tuesday that sporting director Paul Mitchell will leave the club by mutual consent at the end of June.
Mitchell was hired at St. James’ Park in July 2024 and arrived to extremely unfavourable conditions for someone wanting to lead recruitment.
Newcastle came perilously close to breaking PSR restrictions, so were unable to make any significant signings as they were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to remain within the rules.
Mitchell’s most significant work for Newcastle came in January, when he negotiated good fees for the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly to Atlanta United and Juventus, respectively.
That extra income will come in handy in the summer transfer window, as Newcastle have much more room to spend as they prepare for their Champions League return.
Eddie Howe is reportedly set for more transfer power in the wake of Mitchell’s departure, but here are the five players the outgoing director did manage to recruit.
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Will Osula
The only first-team player Mitchell managed to sign during his short stint in the North East was William Osula.
The young striker arrived from Sheffield United in a £10m deal but found game time limited as he sat behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the pecking order.
Osula does have raw potential, though, and scored his first Premier League goal with a towering header against Ipswich Town.
With Newcastle on the lookout for a new striker this summer, Osula may head out on loan for guaranteed playing time.
Ranking: B
Vakhtang Salia
Newcastle announced the signing of highly-rated forward Vakhtang Salia in October, with the Georgian set to arrive on his 18th birthday in August.
Salia is a first-team regular at Dinamo Tbilisi, scoring three goals in 21 appearances this past season.
Upon the signing, Mitchell said: “We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang.
“Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.”
It remains to be seen if Salia will reach his potential.
Ranking: C
Kyle Fitzgerald
Newcastle snapped up exciting Irish winger Kyle Fitzgerald following a successful trial from Galway United.
Fitzgerald was another youngster Newcastle beat a number of interested clubs to and the skilful forward is already making a good impression,
The 18-year-old has had a good start to life in the Under-18s, scoring five goals and creating another two in just 10 appearances.
Ranking: C+
Baran Yildiz
Baran Yildiz wasn’t formally announced as a signing by the club but arrived at Newcastle in early 2025, being named on the Under-21 squad list for the second half of the Premier League season.
The Turkish midfielder has already played four Under-18 Premier League matches, claiming one assist, and took part in all three Dallas Cup matches earlier this month.
Newcastle reportedly paid £2m to sign him from Genclerbirligi and he will be aiming to get even better next season.
Ranking: C
Antonio Cordero
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This signing technically hasn’t happened yet but Antonio Cordero is set to arrive from Malaga on a free transfer this summer.
Newcastle sealed the deal in February, beating the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid to the exciting signing. The winger is only 18 but is already a first-team regular, with 6 goals and 7 assists in 39 games this season.
Newcastle believe Cordero could be a Champions League-level player, though he is expected to be loaned out this summer, with Ajax linked.
If Cordero reaches his potential, then he will be a fine parting gift from Mitchell.
Ranking: B
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