The growing contingent of Championship sporting directors with links to Norwich City has continued - with ex-Canaries recruitment chief Chris Badlan appointed to the role at Blackpool. 

Former City academy manager Gregg Broughton joined Blackburn in the summer whilst Kieran Scott is occupying a similar role at Championship rivals Middlesbrough. 

Badlan becomes the latest with Norwich connections to step up into a more senior position at another club, leaving his role as Coventry's head of recruitment to join Blackpool. 

The 39-year-old joined a revamped scouting set-up at Norwich in 2017 having worked alongside sporting director Stuart Webber at Wolves. Badlan was tasked with leading their recruitment of talent overseas in his role as head of European scouting. 

Badlan will work closely with Blackpool head coach Michael Appleton and report to the Tangerines' board. He will lead the sporting side of the club. 

Upon confirmation of his move to Bloomfield Road, Badlan expressed his excitement at the project that lies ahead. 

“It’s a pleasure and an honour to be joining Blackpool at this exciting time for the Club," Badlan told the club's official channels. "Since I met Simon, Brett and Ben and they explained the vision here at Blackpool, I was intrigued and wanted to be part of it.

"To help build a footballing strategy for the long-term future and success of this football club is something that really excites me, and I can’t wait to get started and work closely with Michael and the rest of the staff.”

Badlan left City in 2018 and joined Coventry soon after, working closely with manager Mark Robins on identifying fresh talent for the first team. 

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He has been a pivotal figure in their rise back to the second tier, where they have been praised for signing talents like Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres. 

Robins paid tribute to Badlan after his exit was confirmed. 

“I would like to put on record my thanks for the work that Chris has done over the time that he has been with the Club," Robins said. "We wish him the best of luck the future."