Manchester United have confirmed that Omar Berrada has been appointed as the club's new CEO.
Reports surrounding Berrada and a switch to Old Trafford intensified on Saturday evening when it was confirmed that he had left his role as Manchester City's chief football operations officer.
Man United have now revealed that Berrada is arriving at the club as their new CEO, with the previously key figure at Man City believed to have been the leading choice of incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
"Manchester United is pleased to announce the appointment of Omar Berrada as its new CEO," read a statement on the English club's official website.
"The club is determined to put football and performance on the pitch back at the heart of everything we do. Omar's appointment represents the first step on this journey.
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"As one of the most experienced football executives at the top of European football, Omar brings a wealth of football and commercial expertise, with a proven record of successful leadership and a passion to help lead change across the club.
"He is currently serving as Chief Football Operations Officer for City Football Group overseeing 11 clubs across five continents and, prior to this, held senior roles at Barcelona.
"It is our stated ambition to re-establish Manchester United as a title-winning club. We are pleased that Omar will be joining us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European and world football.
"Omar's start date will be confirmed in due course; in the meantime, Patrick Stewart will continue as interim CEO."
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The 20-time English champions have been searching for a new CEO since Richard Arnold's exit was confirmed, and Jean-Claude Blanc appeared to be the favourite for the role.
Blanc is expected to still be heavily involved in the new set-up under Ratcliffe, but Berrada has been brought in from Man City as the new CEO.
Berrada worked as commercial director for City Football Marketing before being promoted to chief operating officer at Man City in 2016, and he was heavily involved in transfers and contracts during his time at the club.
Berrada was senior media business development manager and head of sponsorship at Barcelona, meanwhile, ahead of his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
Ratcliffe's 25% purchase of Man United was announced on Christmas Eve, and the deal is expected to be ratified by the Premier League within the next four weeks.
Matt Law
