Ledley King has joined the Tottenham Hotspur coaching staff, the club has announced.
The former club captain was forced to retire in 2012 at the age of just 31 due to persistent knee injuries.
However, he remained at the club in an ambassadorial role, and has now been handed a coaching position with Spurs' Under-18 team.
Ledley King made 21 appearances for England and scored two goals
King, who is currently with the first team as they tour the USA and Canada, was handed a testimonial in May.
He told TheFA.com he has been taking his coaching badges and harbours long-term ambitions to move into that side of the game.
"It’s been a learning curve for me because previously I had put all my efforts into becoming a footballer from a very young age, to be doing something different but still be involved with the club is great," he said.
King will join academy manager John McDermott, who also welcomed the news.
He said: "Ledley has come through the coaching training programme undertaken by a number of senior players in recent seasons, including Scott Parker, Brad Friedel and Michael Dawson.
"We are now looking for Ledley to spend two or three days a week assisting our Under-18 group with their on and off pitch development.
“Using senior players as role models within our Academy is a scheme we are keen to nurture and develop further”
John McDermott, Academy manager
"Using senior players as role models within our academy is a scheme we are keen to nurture and develop further."
Spurs are currently in North America and have so far played friendlies against the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
They have one more fixture – against Chicago Fire on 27 July – before returning to Europe to take on Celtic in Finland, and Schalke at White Hart Lane.
Their Premier League campaign gets under way against West Ham United at Upton Park on 16 August.
