BBC SPORT | Football | Teams | Sunderland (original) (raw)

Sunderland have completed their plans for future glory by appointing Ajax talent-spotter Kees Zwamborn as their new academy director.

The Amsterdam club's 50-year-old director of youth development is expected to take up his new post in July.

Sunderland have invested heavily in their new multi-million pound academy, which will be completed next year, and Zwamborn completes the picture.

I had no hesitation in accepting the position as I have been very impressed with the club

Kees Zwamborn

Talks have been ongoing for some time, and on Monday Ajax admitted defeat in their bid to retain Zwamborn.

He has been credited with producing some of Holland's most promising international prospects, the latest being Ajax's young starlet Rafael van der Vaart.

Zwamborn is looking to recreate the same production line of talent on Wearside.

"At Ajax I am responsible for youth development and have built up a team of coaches who together are extremely successful in developing young players," he said.

"We are very committed to player development and share a passion and a vision. This is important for young players.

"My intention at Sunderland is to carry on this philosophy and set up a very similar structure.

"I had no hesitation in accepting the position as I have been very impressed with the club.

New year

"The superb facilities at the new academy and in particular the people who work here that I've met.

"This opportunity provides me with a new personal challenge."

Sunderland chairman Bob Murray was delighted to have got his man.

"We will have first-class facilities with the opening of the Academy of Light in the new year and can now look forward to the arrival of a first-class academy director," he said.