Mark Noble will return to West Ham as sporting director a matter of months after calling time on his legendary playing career with the Irons.
Noble spent 22 years on the club's books before hanging up his boots at the end of last season, having scored 62 goals in 550 appearances for the East Londoners. The 35-year-old spent virtually his entire senior career with the Hammers, with the exception of brief loan spells at Hull City and Ipswich Town.
Noble, a Canning Town native, could not hold back the tears as he played his final home game for the club in mid-May. However, he had a beaming smile on his face as he was unveiled as West Ham's next sporting director on Thursday, with the Englishman due to begin the role on 2 January 2023.
