Fulham have appointed Huw Jennings as the new director of their academy, the club announced today.

The move is seen as quite a coup for Fulham as Jennings has had a hand in guiding a succession of young talent through to the first team in his role as Southampton’s academy manager. Under his leadership, the Saints saw the likes of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale progress from their youth set-up in their first team. He spent five years heading up Southampton’s academy and is currently the Premier League’s youth development manager. Jennings will officially start work at Fulham in January.

Fulham’s chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said: “I am delighted that we have been able to persuade Huw to join us help drive the revolution at our academy. It is our aim to make Fulham’s academy one of the most successful and progressive in the country. Huw’s credentials at both Southampton FC, and more recently at the Premier League, are impeccable. We believe with his expertise, along with the recent promotions of Gary Brazil and Lee Hagger and the efforts of their excellent colleagues, that we are fully equipped to progress our academy at pace.”