FOREST Green Rovers have signed the club’s first head of recruitment.

Richard Hughes joins the Gloucestershire club from Premier League side Everton where he was academy recruitment co-ordinator.

In his new role, Richard will support Mark Cooper with the selection and recruitment of new players. He will oversee a newly expanded network of Forest Green Rovers scouts – able to cover up to 12 games a week across the country – casting a far wider net for footballing talent.

Hughes previously worked at clubs including Burnley, Tamworth and Wigan Athletic.

On his new role, Richard Hughes, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to build on the success of the squad’s first year in the Football League. Mark and I have made a great start to our working relationship, and we’re focused on filling some key positions in the squad.”

Dale Vince, chairman, Forest Green Rovers, added: “Hiring a head of recruitment is a huge step forward in the development of FGR. We’ve learnt the importance of signing the right players and we’re keen to add a new dimension to our approach.

“It’s about getting ready to improve our performance in our second season in league football, and Richard and Mark have already targeted our first signings of the summer.”

Richard Hughes is the latest addition to the management team at FGR – with goalkeeping coach Pat Mountain joining earlier this year from Championship side, Hull City.