One former Arsenal youth player has now agreed to return to the club in a coaching capacity more than two decades after he left.
Arsenal have developed a habit of employing their former players after they hang up their boots.
For example, current manager Mikel Arteta, sporting director Edu, academy director Per Mertesacker, and under-18s manager Jack Wilshere all represented the North London club in their playing days.
By employing former players, the Gunners are able to protect their culture and values, and also ensure that many of their staff members feel a truly close connection to the club.
Arsenal have now added a new face to their coaching setup who has a past link with the club.
Colin Kazim-Richards returns to Arsenal as an academy coach
Colin Kazim-Richards has announced on his own X account that he is now a part of the Arsenal academy coaching staff.
The former attacker was once part of the same academy system himself, as a child, before moving on in 2001. He left long before he would ever have had a chance of a first team appearance, but won’t have forgotten his experiences in the youth system and is clearly now keen to give back.
As a player, the 37-year-old had a nomadic career. In total, he made almost 600 club appearances, across spells with Bury, Brighton, Sheffield United, Fenerbahce, Toulouse, Galatasaray, Blackburn Rovers, Bursaspor, Feyenoord, Celtic, Coritiba, Corinthians, Lobos BUAP, Derby County, and Fatih Karagumruk.
He was also able to amass 37 senior international caps for Turkey.
Colin Kazim-Richards to have vital Hale End role at Arsenal
The Hale End academy system is hugely important to Arsenal. Kazim-Richards will now be one of those responsible for helping to bring through the next generation of stars.
There are many exciting youngsters currently on the club’s books. A number of promising Hale End talents are now joining the Arsenal first team on their pre-season tour of America.
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