Swansea appoint Palace's Stevens sporting director

Swansea City have appointed Ben Stevens as their new sporting director.

Stevens had been assistant sporting director at Crystal Palace since 2024, having previously spent a decade as the Premier League club's head of performance and recruitment analysis.

He worked under Palace's former sporting director Dougie Freedman and filled in for the ex-Scotland striker when he left to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Diriyah last year.

Swansea had been seeking a sporting director since director of football Richard Montague left last September, just seven months after he joined the Championship club.

Former head of recruitment and analytics Adam Worth then departed in April this year.

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Stevens, who will take up the role on 10 July, said: "Having worked in a number of roles at a variety of clubs over the last 20 years I believe it gives me the necessary attributes to help maximise the club's potential.

"I believe in the project at Swansea City and the club has huge potential. I am excited at the prospect of bringing everyone together on this journey to help us achieve future success."

Swans chief executive Tom Gorringe said: "The club only planned on making an appointment of this nature if we felt a candidate who was the correct fit for Swansea City was available, and we firmly believe Ben possesses the qualities we were looking for.

"He has helped Crystal Palace enjoy the most successful period in their history and, out of respect for Ben and Palace, we have chosen to formally announce his appointment following the conclusion of their season and their European success."