Former Carlisle United star Vincent Pericard has taken up a new role with the Premier League.

The ex-Brunton Park favourite will provide sport and business mentoring to academy managers.

Pericard, who played for the Blues in the 2009/10 season, has worked in business with BT, and on the mental health side of sport since retiring.

He will now use his expertise to help others at the top of the game.

Pericard, 39, announced his new role on Linkedin, saying he has officially become a Premier League EAM (Elite Academy Manager) Mentor.

"The purpose of the programme is to develop world-class leaders with the knowledge, skills, capabilties and adaptability to lead progressive academy systems capable of devloping home-grown talent," he said.

"Due to my unique profile, I'm joinng as an Elite Sport Mentor as well as a Business Mentor."

Former Juventus and Portsmouth striker Pericard says his times as a young player in academies to his professional career, coupled with his corporate experience and qualifications, will help him carry out his new role.

He said he was "deeply honoured to have been identified as a suitable mentor".

Pericard scored six goals in 16 Blues appearances under Greg Abbott and quickly became a fans' favourite, before leaving for Swindon.

The former top-flight player has often spoken about the mental health challenges he faced during his career, and created an app named 'WhatsUp?' aimed at helping students and people in business.