Portsmouth FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Dave Wright to the club’s academy.

He will primarily be heading up a completely new division, concentrating on the recruitment of players from ages 8-21.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience, he will also assist academy manager Mark Kelly in the ongoing strategic overview of the department.

Following the recent departure of lead professional development phase coach Mikey Harris, a high-level review of academy operations was undertaken by Kelly, first team manager Kenny Jackett and CEO Mark Catlin.

Subsequently, Kelly and fellow former Republic of Ireland International Liam Daish will now oversee the management of the under-18 side.

"This appointment further strengthens the academy management team." Mark Kelly

Wright recently spent six years at Premier League Category One club Stoke, with the final three of these in the post of academy director.

He then left the Potters to join the company Double Pass and become an Elite Player Performance Plan auditor, overseeing academy performance at all levels.

Kelly said: “This appointment further strengthens the academy management team and enables me to spend more time ‘out on the grass’, focusing on the key under-18 age group.

“Liam and I have a wealth of football experience and are confident this will help both continue and expand on the current treadmill of youth players breaking through into the first team.”