Chelsea appoint sporting director

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Phil Radley as women's team sporting director.

Radley will start work next month following nearly a decade at Danish side FC Nordsjaelland.

He replaces Paul Green, who was head of women's football at Chelsea before leaving the club earlier this month after 13 trophy-laden years.

"I'm very proud to be joining Chelsea FC Women," Radley said. "This is a team filled with talent and tenacity, that has an incredible record of success and an exciting future.

"I look forward to working closely with Sonia, the players and the rest of the football staff across the club to play a part in writing the next chapter of this club's great success story."

Chelsea say Radley's role will include performance strategy, squad planning and succession planning as well as overseeing player recruitment, contracts and all negotiations with players' agents and representatives.