Former Carlisle United favourite Zigor Aranalde has joined Leeds United.

The ex-Blues left-back has linked up with the Premier League club as part of new boss Javi Gracia's backroom staff.

Aranalde has been appointed assistant coach at the Elland Road club.

It sees the former Brunton Park star again work under Gracia, having assisted the head coach at Watford, Valencia and Al-Sadd.

Aranalde, 49, has been waiting for his next opportunity since leaving Qatari club Al-Sadd last summer - and now returns to English football in the top flight.

He has joined Leeds among a number of additions to Gracia's staff, with Mikel Antia and Juan Jose Solla also joining Leeds.

Gracia, speaking in a press conference today, said of Aranalde and the other coaching recruits: "In my opinion, they are good people - and I need good people around me."

The appointments were confirmed after it was announced that work permits had been granted for Gracia and his staff.

The new boss has replaced Jesse Marsch at Leeds, who are 19th in the Premier League.

Ahead of his appointment, Aranalde - a Carlisle player from 2005-8 - was praised by former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster.

"He was very good at integrating himself amongst the players and becoming a bit of a shoulder to cry on," said Foster on his podcast The Cycling GK.

Aranalde had told the News & Star in December that he would relish the chance to work in England again.

He said: “If there is one country to work and I would go always, it’s England. I enjoyed England as a player and a coach, and it is the best place to work in football in the whole world.”

The Basque former defender was part of Paul Simpson's League Two title-winning side in the 2005/6 season and also a regular in their side in League One.

The ex-Walsall favourite made 126 appearances and scored seven goals for the Blues under Simpson, Neil McDonald and John Ward.