Lee Cattermole has been appointed as the club’s new Under-18s lead coach.
The 33-year-old returns to the club where it all started, and is back in the Academy working with young players who will be aiming to follow in his footsteps in the game.
Stockton-born Lee learnt his trade with the club’s Academy and the then England youth international made his first team debut in January 2006.
He joined Wigan in 2008 then moved to Sunderland the following year where he made almost 300 appearances for the club during the course of the decade.
Lee retired from playing after a spell with Dutch club VVV-Venlo in 2020.
Academy manager Craig Liddle said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lee back to the club. He brings strong leadership qualities, high standards and he has a wealth of experience in the game.
“Obviously, he came through our Academy and is a great example to the young players we have here now. He followed the same development path as them, understands what they are going through, and knows what it takes to have a good career in the game at the highest level.”
Lee takes over from Mark Tinkler, who moved up to the Under-23s to take over as lead coach when Graeme Lee joined Hartlepool United as their new manager.
Lee will officially take up his new role on Monday.