Ipswich Town icon Jim Magilton has been named as the new sporting director at Dundalk in the League of Ireland.

Magilton, 51, starts the new role after serving as the elite performance director with the Irish FA since 2013.

The former Northern Ireland international played for Town between 1999 and 2006, before leading the Blues as boss until his departure in 2009.

He told the Irish FA website: “Today ends an incredible journey for me both personally and professionally.

“I would like to thank the Irish FA, and in particular (former manager) Michael O’Neill, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jim Magilton helped lead Ipswich to the Premier League as a player, before managing the club for three yearsJim Magilton helped lead Ipswich to the Premier League as a player, before managing the club for three years (Image: Archant)

“I would like to thank all of my staff, past and present, in both the Club NI and academy programme and the coach education team who have shown me tremendous loyalty and support over these past seven plus years, and for their enormous contribution to the association and development of our young players.

“I have been involved in and enjoyed the most incredible time in the history of the association and I would like to wish [current manager] Ian Baraclough and the senior squad continued success in the coming years."

Magilton will begin his new role on Monday. Dundalk finished third in the League of Ireland Premier Division this year, having won the title in 2018 and 2019.