NEWCASTLE UNITED have appointed former Sunderland coach Elliott Dickman as the new head of their Under-23s team.

Dickman, who has opted to make the switch from Wearside to Tyneside after spending more than two decades with the Black Cats, has been appointed as the lead player development coach for Newcastle’s Under-23s side.

The 43-year-old, who has a UEFA Pro Licence, was a promising player at the Academy of Light, having previously been on the books at Manchester United, but was forced to retire at the age of 20 because of a persistent hip problem.

He went into coaching at a young age, initially working with Sunderland’s under-8s team, and was promoted to take charge of the Black Cats’ Under-23s side in 2017.

During his time on Wearside, he helped oversee the development of England duo Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson as well as striker Josh Maja, who was sold to French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.

“We’re delighted to bring Elliott to the club after a thorough recruitment process,” said Newcastle academy manager Steve Harper. “Elliott is a meticulous coach with a real passion for the game, and he’s been an integral part of the success in developing players at Sunderland’s academy over several years.

“In recent years, he’s helped several players make that all-important jump from academy football to the first team, and with the structures in place at our academy and the ethos we're looking to build here, we're confident that he can help our young players follow in the footsteps of players like Sean and Matty Longstaff, Elliot Anderson and Kell Watts in making that big step for Newcastle United.”

The redevelopment of Newcastle’s academy is a key part of the club’s new owners’ improvement plans, and both Harper and Dickman will now play a key role in that process. There are likely to be infrastructural and personnel improvements to the Magpies’ academy, which has had a poor track record for developing players in the last few years and has been embroiled in a series of controversies.

Dickman will take charge of his first game as Under-23s boss on Friday night when Newcastle’s development team take on Norwich City.

“I am very excited to join Steve Harper, Mark Atkinson, Neil Winskill and the rest of the academy staff, he said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to help develop and support Newcastle's young players in their ambitions to reach first-team football.

“The work that Steve and his team have implemented so far is very impressive and I can’t wait to get started.”

Sunderland will now begin the process of appointing Dickman’s successor, with the coach having been a popular and successful figure.

He was one of the key figures in the club’s attainment and retention of Category One academy status, and guided the Black Cats’ Under-23s to the 2017 Premier League International Cup final and the 2021 Premier League 2 Division Two play-off final.

“On behalf of all at Sunderland AFC, we thank Elliott for his contribution over the past two decades,” said sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

“His length of service is a rarity in the modern era and throughout his time at the Academy of Light, he has served the club with a passion and professionalism that has helped nurture and develop many talented players.

“Elliott’s desire to experience a new environment and pursue this opportunity is one that we respect, and we all wish him well in the next stage of his career.”