The Republic of Ireland under-17s manager John Morling is to join Brighton and Hove Albion as academy manager.
He is expected to take up the newly-created role next week.
Morling, 38, has worked for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) since 2005 having joined the Irish international set up from Peterborough United where had risen through the ranks of the club’s academy.
Albion’s head of football operations David Burke said: “John has all of the credentials required for this position.
“He has great experience of setting up an academy, as he was instrumental in the development of both Peterborough United’s academy and the Republic of Ireland’s talent development programme.
“Now the club has achieved academy status, John will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the club’s player development from the youngest age group right up to and including the youth team – from where the challenge for the scholars will be to progress to our development squad and eventually into the first team.”
Morling, an ex-Norwich City trainee, in addition to working at Peterborough academy, also had spells as first team coach and reserve team manager.
He became the FAI player development manager in 2005 and three years later was appointed Republic of Ireland manager for the under-15 and under-16 teams. More recently he has coached the under-17 side.
On his arrival at the Amex, he will be reunited with Albion youth team coach Simon Rusk, who was an academy player with the London Road club when Morling was manager.
