Stoke City have appointed Ian Torrance as their new Head of Recruitment, bringing the experienced scout back to English football after a year in Italy with Serie A side Como.
The 44-year-old replaces Lee Darnbrough, who left the role in February after just eight months at the bet365 Stadium. Torrance arrives with a strong reputation, having spent over a decade at Southampton, where he rose to become Chief Scout during a notably successful period for the South Coast side.
Key Addition Amid Championship Uncertainty
His return comes at a crucial time for Stoke, who are battling inconsistency in the Championship and continue to adjust to recent upheaval both on and off the pitch. The club parted ways with manager Narcís Pèlach in December following a run of poor results, and have since placed former Potters defender Ryan Shawcross in temporary charge.
Stoke currently find themselves in the lower half of the table, struggling for form and looking to stabilise ahead of the season’s final stretch. Recent matches have produced mixed outcomes, including a gritty 1–0 win over Blackburn Rovers, a 3–1 comeback triumph over Swansea City, but also defeats to Coventry City, Millwall and Norwich City.
Torrance will be tasked with spearheading a smarter and more sustainable approach to recruitment, something the club sees as vital to long-term success.
“We know our work in the transfer market will need to be smart, agile and diligent for us to be successful and we believe Ian is the right person to help us implement that moving forward,” said Sporting Director Jon Walters.
While at Como, Torrance helped guide the club’s recruitment as they adapted to life in the top tier following their promotion. The Italian side has since achieved a respectable mid-table position, aided in part by savvy acquisitions during his tenure.
Back in Staffordshire, Stoke recently added striker Ali Al-Hamadi on loan from Ipswich Town. The forward made an immediate impression, scoring in a 2–1 win over Hull City.
Beyond the pitch, the club is also working to improve the matchday experience, announcing plans to move the away section at the bet365 Stadium and install safe standing areas.
Writer’s view
Torrance’s arrival feels like a well-timed move for a club in need of fresh direction. With a proven eye for talent and continental experience under his belt, he could prove a crucial figure as Stoke look to rebuild both on and off the field.
His track record at Southampton in particular suggests he’s capable of sourcing undervalued players—something the Potters will need if they’re to climb the table again and return to their former Premier League stature.
