Manchester City have announced the appointment of Gary Worthington to their scouting team.

After a playing career that took in spells with Darlington, Wigan, Exeter and finally Halifax, Worthington moved into coaching and youth development.

Most recently he has been involved with the highly successful academies at Leeds United and Chelsea, and in his new role at City his main area of responsibility will to bring new players into the Club's own youth system.

"It almost goes without saying that they have been successful and have produced some very good players," Worthington told City's website.

"I had five years at Chelsea, and I think that where City are now is where Chelsea were five years ago in that the bar has been raised. Having players that are good players is now not good enough, and we have to find very good players to take the club to the next level.

"I'm very impressed with what I have already seen with the scouting department here. They have achieved a lot in the last 12 months and covered a lot of ground. They have made some fantastic contacts, not just in the UK but throughout Europe and elsewhere. If we continue to do that we will be in the market for the best players not just in the local area but in the world."