Paddy McCourt has landed a new job at Derry City Football Club.
The former Celtic and Northern Ireland star has been confirmed as the Candystripes' new technical director.
McCourt has been operating as Derry's Head of Youth Academy since June 2018 and has also been involved in first team affairs since Declan Devine took over as manager last season.
"I suppose my new job is to try and take a bit of work away from Declan in terms of contracts, recruiting players and scouting players which leaves him free to focus on the Friday night match," McCourt said.
"My four main roles will be to oversee the recruitment, the academy, contract negotiations and renegotiations along with Dodie McGuinness and Sean Barrett.
"It's basically to try and do all the stuff that a modern day manager doesn't now need to do and we're fortunate that Sean and Philip (O'Doherty) came up with the idea of asking me to take this new role and I was delighted to take it."
City boss Devine added: "Obviously Paddy has been heavily involved as we all have been in the club since we've come in.
"It's been very much a team effort from Philip (O'Doherty), the Board of Directors. the office staff and the coaching staff and players.
"Everyone is pulling in the one direction which is the most pleasing aspect for me in terms of the last 12 months. But Paddy's role has changed. He will now become the technical director of the football club.
"He will be responsible for working very closely with myself in terms of recruitment, working towards improving the product on the pitch and everything that goes with running a modern day football club.
"We're very fortunate to have someone like Paddy McCourt at our football club. His name alone and his quality carries a lot of kudos, especially on this island, in England, Scotland and Wales.
"So we're very fortunate to have Paddy. Paddy will be very heavily involved in the first team squad but also oversee all aspects of the football club moving forward."
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