Bradford City has appointed Davide Longo as the club’s new commercial director.
An experienced sports administrator, Longo arrives at the Utilita Energy Stadium following a four-year spell as chief executive officer of rugby league side Featherstone Rovers.
Throughout his career, he has worked on a number of sporting projects, having also enjoyed time at Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos.
Longo’s appointment sees him reunited with the Bantams’ chief executive officer Ryan Sparks, with whom he worked at Rovers. He will take up what was Sparks’ previous role at Valley Parade.
Longo said: “I am delighted to be here at Bradford City and am looking forward to becoming a part of what is a very exciting project.
“Having gained the bulk of my experience in rugby league, I was desperate to come and ply my trade in football, and the pull from this club was too big to turn down.
“I have known Ryan for a number of years and have a great relationship with him. The work he has done so far in transforming the culture of the whole place has been impressive, and something I am keen to immerse myself in.
“I am looking forward to forging relationships with the club’s valued partners, and further developing its commercial portfolio, as I start what will hopefully be a long and successful journey with the Bantams.”
Sparks added: “I am very pleased to be welcoming Davide to the club - further strengthening our commercial operation - heading into the 2021/22 season.
“We worked closely together at my previous club and I believe he will offer a great deal to Bradford City going forward.
“It was a fairly straightforward conversation, as I looked to backfill my previous role. The lure of our football club was too big for Davide to turn down, and he is very excited to be joining us.
“We are immensely fortunate to have fantastic backing from our proud commercial partners, and I look forward to introducing Davide to them over the weeks and months ahead.”
Longo will officially join the club at the end of March.