PAUL REID has been appointed the new academy manager at Sunderland and he has described the aim is to help the club’s youth system thrive.

The Black Cats are undergoing a series of changes on and off the pitch following Stewart Donald’s successful takeover.

Now Reid, a former Carlisle and Barnsley player, has been brought in to head up the academy having previously operated on a much smaller scale down at Eastleigh under Donald.

Reid has background in the business of sport and leadership and his new role means he is tasked in taking a strategic view of the academy, encompassing all areas from a football and operational perspective.

He will have support from the existing team of staff, including assistant academy manager Elliot Dickman, head of coaching Mark McCormick and academy operations manager Leann Cowperthwaite.

Reid said: “This opportunity is the accumulation of many years playing, studying and working within football and I am both excited and proud to be given the role of leading the Academy set up at such a fantastic club.

“A thriving academy is the bedrock of any successful football club. I am looking forward to working alongside the academy team, with the aim of building on the great foundations that are already in place and cementing our reputation as one of the best environments in the country for young footballers to develop and progress.”

Reid made more than 500 appearances as a player after starting his career at hometown club Carlisle. He had spells with Rangers and Preston before joining Northampton and then Barnsley.

He represented England at under 18, 19 and 20 levels He has also worked with a football agency, leading on a number projects both domestically and internationally.

When he stopped playing he appointed head of recruitment at Eastleigh, where he combined the role with his Masters Degree in Sporting Directorship.