Dan Mole: Long-serving Walsall official leaves Saddlers to join Aston Villa

Dan Mole started as Walsall press officer in 2002

Long-serving Walsall official Dan Mole has joined Aston Villa after over 20 years with the Saddlers.

The chief operating officer and club secretary has taken up a new role with Villa as football secretary.

Mole, 43, who began as Walsall's first full-time press officer in 2002, rose through the ranks at Bescot.

After being appointed club secretary in 2009, he joined the Walsall board in 2015 and was appointed chief operating officer in 2019.

"I have loved my time at Walsall," said Mole. "The club has been a massive part of mine and my family's life for over 20 years.

"I have met some wonderful people along the way, from chairmen to colleagues, players to supporters.

"The opportunity to work in the Premier League is one that I am relishing."

Assistant club secretary Nick Adshead has stepped up to take over from Mole as club secretary, while the League Two club have appointed Murray McKee as their new head of operations.