FORMER Newport County AFC boss Dean Holdsworth has been charged with helping Italian side Palermo in their quest to return to Serie A.

Holdsworth is the new director of football operations at Sport Capital Group, who bought the Sicilian club late last month.

The ex-Wimbledon and Bolton Wanderers striker assisted the London-based company in the purchase of the Rosanero from previous owner Maurizio Zamparini.

Holdsworth, 50, who left the Exiles eight years ago after guiding them to the Conference South title, will play a key part in Palermo’s recruitment during this transfer window.

Palermo are currently five points clear at the top of Serie B, Italy’s second tier, having been relegated from the top flight in 2017.

He said: “I am delighted to be working with Sport Capital Group. The ambition for US Citta di Palermo is very exciting and challenging.

“Despite the past off the field problems, the coach, the staff and players have been doing very well.

“Having had discussions with the coach, we aim to support him and the players as much as possible in our bid for promotion to Serie A.

“We have been around the city in the past six weeks and it’s very clear that fans are passionate and want nothing more than success and stability for the club.

“We hope that under the new ownership, the fans will return in their numbers and support the club and team, starting with the next home game.”

A statement issued by the owners added: “Sport Capital Group is pleased to announce Dean Holdsworth as our director of football operations across all clubs we are acquiring.

“A key element of our acquisition strategy is that we undertake a portfolio approach, removing certain functions from a club level and operating them at the group level, meaning Sport Capital Group builds significant buying power with football agents regarding players, managers and coaching staff, as well as with merchandising and sponsorship agreements.

“Sport Capital Group will have greater resources of higher quality to apply across multiple clubs than a single club would normally have access to.

“Dean will be working with the existing team of US Città di Palermo during this transfer window and will be focused on ensuring the right personnel are recruited on the football side to drive us towards successful promotion this season, taking the club back to Serie A.

“Dean will be assisted by Jake Lee and others from Global Futures Sport and we hope to be able to announce our first signing in the next 48 hours.”

Sport Capital Group Ltd and Global Futures Sport are acting together as investors in sport, with their focus on football, real estate, stadium assets, merchandising, intellectual property and other elements.

“The company intends to invest in a portfolio of football clubs in the UK and Europe.

“Sport Capital Group’s partnership with Global Futures Sport gives it access to a unique level of football sector competency including a number of highly experienced and well-known senior football advisors comprising successful club managers, players, football club owners and club investors.”

After leaving County, Holdsworth went on to manage Aldershot Town, Chelmsford City and Brentwood Town, before leading a consortium to buy Bolton.