Newcastle chief scout Graham Carr has left the club by mutual consent with three years remaining on his long-term contract.
Carr, the man credited with finding the likes of Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko, heads out of St James' Park with the club yet to make their first signing since securing a return to the Premier League at the end of last season.
His departure was announced in a statement which read: "Newcastle United's chief scout Graham Carr has today parted company with the club by mutual consent.
"Graham has been United's chief scout for seven years, taking up the position towards the end of the 2009/10 season which saw the club gain promotion back to the Premier League under former manager Chris Hughton.