NORWICH City's assistant head of recruitment, Mariela Nisotaki, has joined Saints academy as their new head of talent acquisition.

Nisotaki spent eight years at Carrow Road, spending three years as the club's head of emerging talent before promotion to her latest role.

Highly-rated Nisotaki played a key role Norwich's South American scouting operation that led to the arrival of star players such as Gabriel Sara.

Another success was the scouting and signing of Argentinian midfielder Emi Buendia, who eventually moved to Aston Villa for a club-record fee.

She is one of few women to have held a senior recruitment position within the men's game and is regarded as a pioneer in European football.

Nisotaki's arrival is the latest appointment made by new technical director Johannes Spors, who is overseeing the club's football operations, and academy director Andy Goldie. 

Further hires are expected as Spors revamps the club's senior recruitment team, following the departure of chief Darren Mowbray last month.

A talent acquisition manager job opening posted by Saints in 2024 detailed the role's responsibility to identify and recruit players aged 16-21.

Key target markets listed on the advert include but are not limited to the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and non-league.

The job advert added: "You will be a fully integrated member of the academy staff, ensuring regular visibility at Staplewood."

While Nisotaki has joined Saints academy, other named duties include assisting the wider Sport Republic scouting team where relevant.

Born in Greece, Nisotaki studied sports science and physical education at the University of Athens, before moving to Cardiff to study sports analysis.

Nisotaki was a first team performance analyst under Garry Monk at Swansea in 2015/16, before moving to head up the team at Atromitos Athens.