NEW Burnley technical director Mike Rigg insists he will do all he can to move the Clarets forward when he begins his role next month.

The 49-year-old will start his job at Turf Moor on December 1 and will head up the process of talent identification and recruitment at Burnley, from the Academy to the first team.

He will report directly to Clarets chairman Mike Garlick and will work with Sean Dyche to improve Burnley's recruitment process.

Rigg, who has worked at Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers in the past, said: “I am delighted and absolutely honoured to be asked to come and join the club.

“I have worked for over 30 years in football, starting out as a community officer, which was a terrific grounding, and have been lucky to work with national associations and club sides.

“I feel I have an excellent understanding of all areas and how things have to fit together to be successful.

“What Burnley has achieved over the past few years is absolutely phenomenal and I hope I can do everything possible to support Sean and try and strengthen the club’s position moving forwards.”

The Clarets have been searching for a technical director for the past few weeks and boss Dyche believes the appointment of Rigg will be a positive one to help the club improve.

“I have mentioned over the past couple of years how important it is to grow all areas of the club, and recruitment structuring and how we want to go forward, is an important part of that," said the Clarets chief.

“I think at the end of a good process for the club, involving myself and the chairman, amongst others, we have found someone who can help the club to grow.

“By bringing in Mike, I think it’s a great opportunity for him to stamp his side on the way that we work.

“Within the role it’s not just recruitment, but that’s a big part of it, and with Mike’s background, both here and abroad, in searching for the right players for Burnley Football Club, I think that experience will be needed and used wisely, and that’s what we’ll look to Mike to add to what we already do.”

Rigg, who made a short-term return to Ewood Park last season in an Academy role having previously been Rovers' chief scout from 2006-08, was also head of player acquisition at Manchester City where he helped sign the likes of David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

And Clarets chairman Garlick believes the club have found the right man for the job.

“We are delighted to welcome Mike on board," he said.

“All of the candidates which Sean and myself interviewed were of a very high calibre.

“However, Mike stood out as someone who we feel can help move the club forward in terms of identifying and hiring the best possible footballing talent, both on a national and international basis.

“It’s an area of the club that we need to invest in and improve further, and we feel sure that Mike’s wealth of experience will be a valuable asset to us.”