West Ham have appointed Mark Noble as their new and first ever sporting director.

According to The Hammers, the legend and former captain will officially start his new role on 2 January 2023.

Mark Noble made 550 senior appearances for the club as a player, 414 of those coming in the Premier League and scoring 62 goals in 18 years spell.

The club announced that he will work with manager David Moyes, the Board of Directors, providing input, advice, and assistance across all aspects of the football operation which will include Academy development, player recruitment, and player and staff wellbeing.

He will play a key role in supporting football development at the club and working with the club’s global partners.

In the summer, Noble completed an Entertainment, Media and Sports Business leadership course at Harvard Business School in the United States.

On his appointment, Mark Noble said he is really happy to be coming back and can’t wait to get started.

“I’d like to thank the Club for giving me the opportunity, it’s a great honour for me to take up this role at West Ham United.

“I have spent the last 24 years as a player here, first in the Academy and then in the first team, and obviously have a deep knowledge and understanding of the Club.”

Moyes said Noble “is the most qualified when it comes to understanding West Ham United and its ethos”, while West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said that Noble will always be a part of the fabric of West Ham.

“He is already familiar in every aspect of the organisation, he personally knows all of the staff who work here across all departments, and he always puts the Club’s best interests at the heart of everything he does. He will help to provide another strong link between the football operation and the wider Club, and will continue to be a great asset to West Ham United.”