FORMER Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd was today appointed Leeds United's director of youth development.

Kidd will be responsible for the Elland Road youngsters and the satellite operations which are being set up in association with other clubs.

Kidd, who has had a number of approaches since he parted company with Rovers in the autumn, said he could not resist the approach by United chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager David O'Leary.

Said Kidd: "I have known David since he was a 16-year-old with Arsenal. He was a fine player and is now a manager who is clearly going places in the game. "I was deeply impressed with the chairman's ambitions for the club in respect of future development and when I walked into Thorp Arch to have a look round the other day it was like going into a room full of old friends with Eddie Gray, Roy Aitken and David Batty around."

Kidd, who celebrated his 51st birthday yesterday, added: "There will be no empire-building.

"It will be nice to create a seamless relationship between the youngsters and the first-team squad at a club which has already demonstrated that it is prepared to give youth a chance.

"Youngsters, whether they are kicking a ball about in the street, or have already found their way into the game, always need idols -- my own was Denis Law -- and to work in the same environment as the player or players you look up to is something very special.

"This is going to be a very exciting season for Leeds, with the Champions League and all that, and I can't wait to get my teeth into it."