Trevor Birch, the outgoing chief operating officer of sports agency Sportfive and former chief executive of Chelsea and Leeds United, will be the new chief executive of Sheffield United.

'Blades chairman Kevin McCabe has turned to Birch in an attempt to help secure major new investment as the club seek a return to the Premier League,' reports the Yorkshire Post.

'Birch has also been employed in senior roles by Everton and Derby County. Five years ago, he was interviewed for the post of chief executive at the Football Association but controversially withdrew his application,' adds the newspaper.

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Birch, a former professional player, was one of the key figures involved in Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea.