Chelsea have announced that Christopher Vivell has been appointed as the club's new technical director.
Since the departure of Thomas Tuchel in September, Chelsea's new owners have been looking to put together a team to assist with Graham Potter's bid to transform the first-team squad.
While other positions have been filled in recent months, the effort to bring in a technical director has been prolonged, partly due to Todd Boehly and his fellow co-owners wishing to secure their top target.
Reports have long suggested that Vivell has been on Chelsea's radar having received praise for the impact that he has been at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig.
Vivell leaves the latter for Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea stating that he was "responsible for recruitment and scouting across all age groups" and "co-ordinated the overall strategy for squad building and recruitment among Red Bull's wider football group."
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The 36-year-old has now accepted an offer to take on a new challenge in West London, saying that he was attracted by the opportunity to contribute to "the most exciting project" in football.
Vivell told the club's official website: "Chelsea are building the most exciting project in global football and I'm extremely proud to be joining the club. There is so much potential for the club to continue to succeed, develop and grow.
"Under the new ownership, Graham Potter and the broader sporting team, there is a clear and sustainable philosophy underpinned by performance analysis, data and innovation, and I am looking forward to playing a part in that."
Chairman Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added: "We are delighted that Christopher is taking up this important leadership role at the club. His work in Germany and Austria speaks for itself.
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"We are confident he will continue on his impressive trajectory here at Chelsea. He will provide important support to Graham and the ownership group and play a vital part in advancing our overall vision for the club."
While Vivell joins at a time when Chelsea are eight points adrift of the Champions League places in the Premier League table, his own focus will be on the January transfer window.
Chelsea have already been credited as admirers of Molde forward David Datro Fofana with a deal for the Ivorian expected to go through over the coming weeks.
More notably, Chelsea are also known to be trying to conduct business with Leipzig for their two most prized assets, with a deal already said to be in place for Christopher Nkunku to join in the summer.
Meanwhile, defender Josko Gvardiol is also on Chelsea's radar ahead of a potential switch at the end of the season.
Darren Plant
