SUNDERLAND have announced the appointment of Lee Congerton as the club's new sporting director.

Congerton, who replaces Roberto De Fanti who left in January, arrives on Wearside from his previous post as technical director at Bundesliga outfit Hamburg SV, and will work alongside head coach Gus Poyet, overseeing player recruitment and the club’s domestic and international scouting operation.

Speaking about his appointment, Congerton said: “I’m delighted to join Sunderland AFC and would like to thank the board and owner for this great opportunity.

"Working alongside Gus and his team was one of the influential factors in me joining the club and something that I am very much looking forward to.”

Sunderland AFC’s chief executive, Margaret Byrne, said: “Lee is very highly regarded within football circles and we have been very impressed by him. We feel he is the perfect fit for the club in terms of developing our player recruitment strategy and helping to take the club forward.”

Black Cats head coach Gus Poyet added: “I would like to welcome Lee to the club. Recruitment is one of the most important areas in football nowadays, so I’m looking forward to working alongside Lee for the best of the club.”

After his playing career was cut short due to injury, Congerton became academy director at Wrexham, before joining Liverpool in 2002. He then moved to Stamford Bridge, spending six years with Chelsea, becoming the club’s chief scout.

Congerton spent three years in Germany with Hamburg SV, moving to the Imtech Arena in 2011, having been appointed to the technical director role.