Ben Knapper has left Arsenal to become the new sporting director at Norwich.
Knapper will officially begin work at Carrow Road on November 27 as a replacement for Stuart Webber, whose phased departure after six years in the role was announced back in June.
It ends a 13-year association with Arsenal for Knapper, who had most recently been working as the Gunners’ loans and pathway manager, facilitating the right temporary moves for a number of young players to ensure the most positive impact on their fledgling careers - a list that includes the likes of William Saliba, Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun, among many others.
He also performed a number of other jobs after joining in 2010, including football analyst, senior football analyst, loans manager and first-team scout.
Knapper now heads to Norfolk tasked with helping Champioship promotion contenders Norwich to plot another route back into the Premier League.
“We are so proud that Ben has been appointed Sporting Director at Norwich City,” Arsenal’s sporting director Edu said in a message sent to all staff members on Friday.
“Of course, we are all sad Ben is leaving us, because he is such a top professional and person, and we have enjoyed a great working relationship together.
“He has been a huge asset to us during his career at Arsenal, where he has developed through our performance analysis teams to become our highly successful Loans and Pathway Manager.
“Ben has played a key role in the positive development of so many of our men’s players over the years, where he has driven a part of our football strategy to give our players the best possible experience, to ensure they return to us with enhanced qualities to continue their careers with us or elsewhere.
“We are proud to have given Ben the opportunities to develop his own career too, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter with Norwich City.”
Edu also said that “the recruitment process and succession plan for Ben’s replacement is underway.”
Knapper, meanwhile, told Norwich’s official club website: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Norwich City. It is a club that I’ve admired from afar for a long time.
“My interactions and dealings with the club over the years have always been very positive. It is a club that has always left an impression on me, and I’ve been really impressed with how they operate.
“There are clearly some very good foundations already in place. I’m really looking forward to getting started, meeting everyone and contributing to the next chapter of success in the club’s journey.”
