FORMER Premier League star Jason Puncheon has been appointed as Head of Football Operations at Dubai outfit Arabian Falcons.
The former Southampton and Crystal Palace midfielder, 39, was unveiled by the club, who play in the UAE‘s second tier, in a social media post this week.
Puncheon, who will also be a co-owner of the club, was pictured shaking hands with president Ailan Hamad Al Mheiri while wearing a traditional Emirati kandura.
He will work at a club that has already made a series of high-profile signings, including former Manchester United star Ravel Morrison and ex-Newcastle man Jonjo Shelvey.
The club posted a picture of Puncheon posing alongside Al Mheiri, Morrison, Shelvey and manager Harry Agombar.
It wrote on Instagram: “Leadership that sets the standard.
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“Please welcome our Head of Football Operations and co-owner Jason Puncheon, as we take the next step forward.”
Al Mheiri added: “We are excited to welcome a new member whose skills and energy will bring great value to our team.
“We look forward to achieving great success together.”
Puncheon also commented on his appointment, saying: “I believe in a clear football vision built on structure, development, and ambition.
“I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.”
He arrives at the club after a short spell managing Cypriot side Akritas Chlorakas.
Before that, he had brief coaching stints in the same country with Ayia Napa, AEZ Zakakiou and Peyia 2014.
As a player, Puncheon was something of a journeyman after starting his career with Wimbledon before they became MK Dons.
He later featured for Barnet and Plymouth, before joining Southampton, where he was part of the side that secured two successive promotions under Nigel Adkins.
Puncheon played 32 times for the Saints in the 2012-13 season before moving to Palace the following year, initially on loan.
He would spend six years playing in the top flight at Selhurst Park, making 169 appearances and scoring 16 goals.
Puncheon scored in the 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United and was briefly named club captain in 2017.
After leaving the club in 2019, he rounded off his career with Cyprus teams Pafos and Anorthosis.
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