Blow for Southampton FC academy with reported exit to Newcastle United

Rice previously had spells with Fulham, Arsenal, and the FA before joining Saints in 2021 initially as under-13-under-19 player recruitment manager. He then assumed the role of head of youth recruitment in October 2021.

But now Rice could be set to depart for St James’ Park, according to the Secret Scout.

🚨 Excl - Dan Rice Head of Youth Recruitment at Southampton is set join Newcastle United - as they prepare for a huge recruitment drive for academy players in the summer. pic.twitter.com/wKqqhy00fG

— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) March 24, 2023

Saints have been very active in recruiting for the academy in Rice's time with the likes of Jayden Medhoma and Sam Amo-Amyew joining from Spurs in recent months to bolster the already exciting group of young talent at the club.

There has been significant movement behind the scenes at Saints over the last 12 months with Joe Shields arriving from Manchester City in the summer as head of recruitment before departing for Chelsea just months later.

Meanwhile, director of football operations Matt Crocker is set to exit this summer, replaced by current Man City academy director Jason Wilcox who will arrive as director of football.