XLMedia chief information officer Nigel Leigh has departed the AIM-listed affiliate to join Footballco as chief technology officer (CTO).

Leigh joined XLMedia in June 2021, where he went on to launch a new CMS and front-end across its sports properties while managing a team of more than 50 staff.

During his time with the affiliate, he also restructured his department and shifted the tech team from Israel to the UK, US, Canada and Mexico.

Prior to joining XLMedia, Leigh served as chief digital technology officer for JPIMedia and spent four years with Johnston Press across a series of senior roles.

The new Footballco CTO also had a near-nine-year spell with the Telegraph Media Group.

In joining Footballco, Leigh will be responsible for product design, development and engineering for the company’s football media brands.

Leigh will manage teams across the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Middle East in his new role.

Footballco’s portfolio includes GOAL, Mundial in the UK, Calciomercato in Italy and women’s football brand Indivisa.

According to Similarweb, Footballco brands reach between 80 million and 100 million fans each month across web and mobile platforms.

The business has recently diversified its revenue streams, including adding betting and gaming affiliates.

On his move to Footballco, Leigh said: “I’m excited to join Footballco and look forward to working across the company’s suite of football media brands at a time that is both exciting for the company and football in general.

“Footballco’s scale in football is unmatched, but there’s also huge room for growth, in terms of new revenue streams, affiliates and new markets, whether they’re geographical or demographic, such as women’s football.”

Footballco CEO Juan Delgado added: “Nigel represents an important hire for the company to take this progress to the next level, as demonstrated by his time at XLMedia where he played an important role in growing the company’s affiliate business.”

In July, XLMedia reaffirmed its commitment to pushing ahead in the US despite recording a 38.5% decline in H1 2024 revenue.

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