Stephen Rice has been appointed as opposition analyst and head scout for the Ireland senior team.
The former League of Ireland player is leaving his role as Crystal Palace Under-23 coach to take up the new role.
Rice was added to Stephen Kenny’s staff for the June friendlies against Andorra and Hungary and the arrangement has now been made permanent,
"It’s a huge honour for me and my family for me to join the Ireland senior men's coaching staff," he said.
"The opportunity to work with and learn from Stephen Kenny at international level is a real privilege, and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the team.
“Having already experienced the fantastic atmosphere within the squad on the last camp, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming games."
Rice succeeds Ruaidhri Higgins who left Kenny’s staff to take over as Derry City manager in April.
And he goes straight into the job ahead of September’s World Cup triple header against Portugal in Faro and at home to Azerbaijan and Serbia.
Ireland boss Kenny said: "Stephen was part of the staff for the matches against Andorra and Hungary, and we're delighted he has taken up a full-time role.
"He has an impressive skill set when it comes to analysing teams and players, and he is an important addition to the coaching staff ahead of September's matches."
A Pro Licence coach, Rice started his playing career at Coventry City before playing for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Longford Town.
He was Shamrock Rovers Under 17 and Under-19 head coach before joining Crystal Palace last August.
