Newcastle United have endured an underwhelming 2025/26 Premier League campaign ahead of a series of anticipated changes at St James’ Park this summer – and Football League World can exclusively reveal that the Magpies have successfully sealed a swoop of newly-relegated League One outfit Oxford United.
Eddie Howe’s side were expected to kick on further when last season’s fifth-placed finish ensured UEFA Champions League football for the second time inside three years and preceded a clutch of big-money signings amid Alexander Isak’s record-breaking £125 million switch to Liverpool, with the likes of Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade all making their way to the North East.
However, Newcastle’s summer spending spree has failed to pay dividends as the campaign prepares to fizzle out in a disappointing mid-table finish for the 13th-placed Toon Army, who now have much work to perform throughout the summer months to right their wrongs and compete for European football next time around.
A range of incomings and outgoings are only to be expected as we edge closer to the summer window, but it’s not only on the pitch where movement is anticipated, as Football League World can now reveal the agreement of an off-pitch move for the Premier League side.
Newcastle United agree deal for Oxford United recruitment chief
Football League World has learned that the figure in question is Oxford United’s head of recruitment Scott Mitchell, who has agreed a deal to head up to Newcastle ahead of internal restructuring at St James’ Park.
Although FLW is not aware of any further changes behind the scenes at this moment in time, it is understood that Mitchell is on his way to join Newcastle’s recruitment team after putting pen to paper on a deal with the Magpies.
Mitchell, who earned his stripes coaching with Ipswich Town’s academy after hanging up his boots before leading the recruitment team at League One side Wycombe Wanderers, moved into the same role for Oxford in November 2024.
Under Mitchell’s watch, the U’s have made some impressive captures by bringing recruits such as Brian De Keersmaecker, Michal Helik, and Stanley Mills to the Kassam Stadium alongside the loan acquisition of Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear last summer.
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Oxford have been particularly busy during recent transfer windows while electing to explore continental markets where greater value for money can be found for a side working with a limited budget, albeit with mixed results.
The U’s survived the drop in their first season back in the Championship last time out, but were unable to prevent relegation in the 2025/26 campaign despite a mini-resurgence of sorts under Matt Bloomfield as they finished in 22nd, four points behind a West Bromwich Albion side which had been struck with a late two-point deduction.