MIDDLESBROUGH have appointed Adrian Bevington as their new head of recruitment operations.

Bevington, who spent almost two decades as the FA's director of communications, has worked with Boro in an advisory capacity since leaving his role with English football's governing body in 2014.

He now assumes a more formal role overseeing Boro's recruitment operations, with his appointment expected to be one of a number of backroom alterations this summer.

When Tony Pulis was appointed as manager in December, he said he had been tasked with conducting a wide-ranging review of all of Middlesbrough's operations.

Pulis is understood to have discussed his thoughts with chairman Steve Gibson at the end of the season.

Born in Middlesbrough, and a lifelong Boro fan, Bevington previously worked in the club's media department in the 1990s.

Boro's recruitment team has been involved in a number of reshuffles in recent years, most notably when Victor Orta was appointed as head of recruitment, only to leave towards the end of Aitor Karanka's reign.

Gary Gill has been operating as the club's head of recruitment since Orta departed, and the former Boro defender will continue in his current role.