SUNDERLAND has appointed Martin Bain as the club’s new chief executive following the resignation of Margaret Byrne in the wake of the Adam Johnson child abuse case.

Bain, currently chief executive at leading Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, takes up his new role at the Stadium of Light on July 1.

The 47-year-old brings a wealth of experience in both the football and business worlds.

He has overseen one of the most successful periods in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s history, yielding on the field success with a domestic treble in 2015 and Champions League qualification, whilst off the field he has driven strong commercial growth and transformed the club’s finances.

He was also a board director of the Israeli Premier League and was integral in recently achieving an unprecedented central broadcast deal.

His appointment follows the resignation of the Black Cats' former chief executive Byrne in March admitting "a serious error of judgement" after Johnson later admitted grooming the 15-year-old girl and a separate charge of sexual activity.

The former Middlesbrough and Manchester City player was later found guilty of a further charge of sexual activity with the girl following a trial at Bradford Crown Court and was jailed for six years.

Commenting on Bain's appointment, Sunderland chairman, Ellis Short, said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to Sunderland. With his commercial experience, commitment to working closely with local communities and impressive track record of building winning teams on and off the pitch, I know that we have someone that can take us forward.

“Martin will strive to transform our financial performances, which we acknowledge must improve significantly, into a stable and successful model, to give us a club that we and our fans can be proud of. In doing so, he will receive the full support of everyone at Sunderland AFC.”

Prior to joining Maccabi, Bain was CEO at Rangers Football Club and a director of the Scottish Premier League. During his tenure, the club won three consecutive league titles, reached the final of the UEFA Cup and regularly appeared in the group stages of the Champions and Europa League.

Bain said: “It is a great honour and privilege to become CEO at a club with Sunderland’s rich history and heritage. I have been fortunate to be a part of a team that has brought great success to two clubs with passionate supporter bases and I am excited by the opportunity to do the same at Sunderland.

“Sunderland fans are recognised as some of the most loyal and passionate in football. The backing they gave the team in the two recent vital home games played an integral part in the victories. Such tremendous support deserves a successful club and that is what we will aim to give them.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the chairman and everyone involved with the club, and will endeavour to do everything possible to help the club to realise its potential.”