Brighton & Hove Albion's sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club after nine months in the role. Ayto became the club's first sporting director in September 2025, replacing technical director David Weir, who has since joined Strasbourg. Ayto previously worked at Arsenal for over a decade in various positions, including assistant technical director and interim sporting director. He left Arsenal last summer after 11 years at the club, having previously worked as a scout and chief scout. Ayto was due to oversee his first summer transfer window, working with Mike Cave on Brighton's transfer business. Cave has been promoted from assistant technical director to technical director and will oversee all sporting areas of the club, working with the existing senior team and reporting to chief executive Paul Barber. The summer window opens on June 15. Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has thanked Ayto for his service and wished him well for the future. Ayto was a strong contender for the permanent position at Arsenal, but former Atletico Madrid executive Andrea Berta was ultimately appointed in the role.