Northern Ireland have appointed former international Jim Magilton to the new position of elite performance director.

The role reunites former Saints midfielder Magilton with Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, having briefly worked as his assistant at Shamrock Rovers.

Magilton had originally applied for the manager's job when Nigel Worthington resigned at the end of 2011 and, although the Irish Football Association preferred O'Neill, it has kept in close contact with Magilton.

The IFA has given Magilton a four-year deal in a role that will see him "be responsible for elite player development for boys and girls" as well as "drive on the identification and development of talented young players".