Simon Wilson has been named Sunderland's new chief football officer.
Wilson will join the Black Cats on January 1, after ending a highly-successful 10-year's service at Manchester City, says the Sunderland Echo.
He is re-united with manager David Moyes, having worked with him at the Scot's first managerial post, at Preston North End.
Wilson said: “I am excited by the opportunity to join a club that is embarking on a journey of development and improvement.
"My role will be to ensure that we have the best practices, systems and people in place in order to give the club the best platform to achieve its goals.
“There is a great team of people at the club and I want to galvanise the good work that I know is already being done, in order to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support the manager and chief executive in their aim of building a better football club.
“I worked with David Moyes many years ago at Preston.
"He is a highly-experienced and respected manager and I am looking forward to linking up with him again, and working with the chief executive.
"Both share a common vision on how to take the club forward so we can give the fans and everyone associated with Sunderland a club and a team to be proud of."