Barnsley: New chief executive for Reds

The role has been vacant since Linton Brown stepped down in January.

Ganaye will join the club on June 12 from French outfit Racing Club de Lens.

“I want to thank the owner and the board for their trust in me,” said Ganaye, who has held many roles at the Ligue 2 club.

“Coming from a mining area, I know what a club like Barnsley means to the community and fans.

“I have had the opportunity to meet a number of people at the club, including (manager) Paul Heckingbottom, and I am convinced that everybody is focused on driving the club to success both on and off the pitch.”

It will be a baptism of fire for Ganaye at Oakwell, with the club in desperate need of players and speculation about Heckingbottom’s future.

Sunderland are the latest side to be linked to him, with reports saying he is a contender to take over at the Stadium of Light following David Moyes’ departure.

The Reds manager has previously stated that it would “take something big” to lure him away from Barnsley and says he is happy at his home-town club.

Ex-defender Heckingbottom was a trainee at the North-east club early in his career.

Meanwhile, a number of Championship clubs are keen on midfield man Josh Scowen who will be leaving Oakwell once his contract expires at the end of June.

Fulham and Brentford are both reportedly prepared to offer the 24-year-old a £9,000-a-week contract.

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers also thought to be keen of the player.

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