Newcastle United have confirmed the arrival of coach Elliot Dickman after a three-month search for a new Under-23 boss.
The appointment is the first of the club's new regime although the wheels were already in motion for the Sunderland coach before the Middle East backers took charge.
Speaking after being appointed, Dickman said: "I am very excited to join Steve Harper, Mark Atkinson, Neil Winskill and the rest of the Academy staff.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to help develop and support Newcastle's young players in their ambitions to reach first team football.
"The work that Steve and his team have implemented so far is very impressive and I can't wait to get started."
Harper reflected: "We're delighted to bring Elliott to the club after a thorough recruitment process.
"Elliott is a meticulous coach with a real passion for the game, and he's been an integral part of the success in developing players at Sunderland's Academy over several years.
"In recent years he's helped several players make that all-important jump from Academy football to the first team, and with the structures in place at our Academy and the ethos we're looking to build here, we're confident that he can help our young players follow in the footsteps of players like Sean and Matty Longstaff, Elliot Anderson and Kell Watts in making that big step for Newcastle United."
