Crystal Palace are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Ben Wrigglesworth as the club’s new chief scout. The Eagles are set to turn to the English scout who has been at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Athletic reports that Wrigglesworth will be joining Matt Hobbs at Selhurst Park. Hobbs joined the club as sporting director back in August 2025.
The 34-year-old has been at Molineux for four years and has an interesting background in scouting.
Who is Ben Wrigglesworth?
Wrigglesworth started his career in football as a football analyst at Notts County. His first scouting role came at Leicester City, joining the Foxes in July 2012 while they were still in the Premier League.
After three years as a technical scout, he was promoted to Head of Technical Scouting. This lasted just 10 months before he headed off to Arsenal to take up a role as first-team video scout.
Wolves came calling in 2018 and handed him the position of European scout. He evidently impressed in the role and became the senior recruitment lead before taking on roles as deputy chief scout and Head of Scouting.
High-profile signings
Wrigglesworth is said to have been influential in signing Matheus Cunha and Joao Gomes during his time at Wolves. The Brazilian duo were massive hits at Molineux, with Cunha particularly shining.
Cunha joined the Black Country outfit from Atletico Madrid in July 2023 for £35m. He scored 27 goals in 65 games and left the club for Manchester United last summer in a £62.5m deal.
Gomes has impressed since arriving from Flamengo in January 2023 for £15m. He had been on Palace’s radar but looks set to join Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Wrigglesworth had his influence reduced during Vitor Pereira’s tenure. He reportedly recommended signing Harry Wilson from Fulham, but Pereira rejected the proposal.
The English scout is even credited with playing “a significant role” in signing N’Golo Kante for Leicester. He also assisted Steve Walsh during the arrivals of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy at the King Power Stadium.
Who joins him at Palace?
Wrigglesworth isn’t the only new recruit in the scouting setup. Palace are bringing in Botafogo’s Alessandro Brito, who will take the lead on recruitment and scouting in South America.
The pair will work under Hobbs, who has already spent nearly a year in his role as sporting director. They will also be helping build a squad for Pierre Sage, who is set to be confirmed as Oliver Glasner’s successor in due course.
