ALBION have brought on board former Glasgow Rangers and Scotland defender David Weir to look after players sent out on loan.

Weir begins work today as the Seagulls’ first ever pathway development manager.

He will be responsible for monitoring the progress and overseeing the development of the likes of goalkeepers Christian Walton, who will spend a second season on loan at Wigan, and Robert Sanchez, who has just joined Forest Green Rovers for the campaign.

Paul Winstanley, Albion’s head of recruitment, said: “With an increasing number of our younger players going out on loan, this is a particular area in which we feel it is important for us to develop.

“David will be responsible for working with those players individually and collectively, during pre-season and throughout their loan spells to help their footballing development, with the aim of assisting with their graduation to long-term first-team football.

“He will also monitor the senior professionals who are out on loan and feed back to Chris Hughton, the recruitment team and the club’s coaches at the relevant level.

“David has an excellent playing and coaching CV, has excellent contacts throughout the football world and is hugely respected within the industry. We are absolutely delighted to welcome him to the club.”

Falkirk-born Weir had an illustrious playing career at club and international level.

He represented his home town team, Hearts, Everton for eight seasons and Glasgow Rangers for five years, playing for them until the age of 41.

He also became Scotland’s oldest-ever player by winning the last of his 69 caps at the age of 40.

Weir moved into coaching and management once his playing days were over.

The 48-year-old had a brief spell as manager of Sheffield United before working as Mark Warburton’s No.2 at Brentford, Glasgow Rangers and most recently Nottingham Forest.