Everton have lost their chief European scout Ian Atkins to Aston Villa.
Atkins joined the Blues ahead of David Moyes’ final season in charge and has headed up the club’s operations on the Continent for the past four years.
But the former defender, who made seven appearances for Everton in the iconic 1984/85 season, has returned to his native Birmingham with Villa.
The currently manager-less Championship outfit have appointed Atkins to their European head of recruitment, a similar role to his Goodison Park one.
Atkins finds himself in good company at Villa Park, with Moyes’ former assistant Steve Round becoming the club’s technical director last month.
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness is also working within the administrative set-up while a potential reunion with Steve Bruce is on the cards.
The former Hull City manager held talks with Villa officials about succeeding Roberto Di Matteo and worked with Atkins during his time at Sunderland.
Everton’s scouting operation is currently the subject of an overhaul following Steve Walsh’s appointment as the club’s newly-created Director of Football.