NOLBERTO SOLANO has been named as the new boss of Blyth Spartans following the club's relegation to the Northern Premier League.

The former Newcastle United winger has been handed the managerial reins at Croft Park as Blyth look to bounce straight back into National League North.

The Peruvian international made 172 senior appearances for Newcastle during a successful playing career than spanned almost two decades.

“It’s a wonderful challenge, I’m really pleased," said Solano, who began his managerial career with a stint at Northern League side Newcastle Benfield in 2012. "One of the reasons I accepted is the way my ex-team-mate, Steve Howard, showed me the ambition of the club which is some I love.

"It will be a great opportunity to work with the local lads. I know Blyth very well. It’s a very popular team in the North-East.

"I’m very excited, with these wonderful players and the new owner, we need to to work hard, work together and get back up into National League North”.

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Blyth were relegated on the final day of the National League North season, and will spend next season in the Northern Premier League alongside the likes of Morpeth Town and Whitby Town.

“We are delighted to introduce Nolberto Solano as our new first-team manager," said Blyth chairman Irfan Liaquat. "(He is) a highly-talented individual with the perfect blend of skills, expertise, and plenty of flair.

"His exceptional talent, coupled with his extensive network, positions him to achieve great success with as we start our rebuild. I believe Nobby holds the key to what we’ve potentially been missing previously.”