Wilson helped shape Nottingham Forest’s rise, with his influence in just over two years at the City Ground helping turn them from relegation candidates to European contenders.
Brennan Johnson was sold to Tottenham for over £45m in 2023 but replaced with £15m Anthony Elanga and £3m Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Nikola Milenkovic was bought for under £12m from Fiorentina in 2024, forming an exceptional partnership in defence with Murillo and being named Forest’s Player of the Season.
That shrewd business helped Forest to Europe for the first time in 30 years after last season’s seventh-placed finish.
It says a lot about his standing and the respect he has that owner Evangelos Marinakis wanted him to stay at the City Ground to oversee the end of the transfer window, until the time was right for him to leave.
A deal was agreed a while ago after Wilson beat Jason Ayto to the post – with former Arsenal deputy sporting director Ayto eventually moving to Brighton.
Newcastle owner PIF has watched Wilson for a long time and expressed an interest in him when he was Rangers’ sporting director.
Four years at Ibrox will steel him for the goldfish bowl at St James’ Park, where predecessor Mitchell lasted less than 12 months.