Wolves have appointed Alan Travis as their head of recruitment to place the retiring Tony Lacey.

The 65-year-old is bringing the curtain down on his time at the club after 12 years at Molineux.

Travis, 60, had five years overlapping current Wolves Academy manager Kevin Thelwell in recruitment at Derby and has also worked at Manchester City in 20 years in youth football.

Thelwell believes Wolves are losing one of the best talent-spotters in the country – but gaining someone able to fill his shoes.

He said: “Tony has been a terrific servant to Wolves. He’s done an unbelievable job – unprecedented even – and has become widely known as one of the best recruiters of young talent in the country.”

Involved in bringing Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant through at Notts County, Travis has also been involved in spotting players such as Giles Barnes, Miles Addison Harrison and Lewin Nyatanga for the Rams.

Thelwell added: “Alan has got some big shoes to fill coming in after Tony, but he’s certainly got all the capabilities.”