Former Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore has been appointed senior football strategist at Southend United.
Collymore had been working with the Shrimpers in a voluntary capacity since the sacking of manager Phil Brown last month.
The ex-Liverpool forward was part of the panel that appointed new boss Kevin Maher and has been in negotiations with the club about a formal role, which will see him work across commercial, media and football areas.
Collymore is looking to help the club he left for Forest for back in 1993 get back on its feet following back-to-back relegations and a torrid start to life in the National League, where they reside in the relegation zone.
Collymore said: "Southend was my happiest time as a player, so the ability to be able to come back and give something again is very exciting."
The 50-year-old also tweeted: "I'm delighted to announce that I'm back at @SUFCRootsHall as the club's first Senior Football Strategist! 29 years after the happiest times at Roots Hall, I'm back home to support the club across Football, Commercial, Media and Trust."
Shrimpers chief executive Tom Lawrence said: "Stan will be a real asset to us, his knowledge and contacts are phenomenal.
"In addition to helping the board with football strategy, Stan will be assisting with player recruitment and he will be working across the media and commercial departments too."
