Ex-Tottenham Hotspur academy chief Dean Rastrick has been confirmed as Norwich City's new head of football development. 

As first reported on these pages last week, Rastrick has taken up the post after a 13-year spell at the North London club and will be tasked with leading the development of City's young players and devising the academies footballing strategy. 

Rastrick, who has previously worked at Derby County and Luton Town, returns for his second spell at Carrow Road having previously served as assistant academy manager under Ricky Martin between 2006 and 2010. 

The 48-year-old emerged as the lead contender from a thorough process triggered by Weaver's decision to end his association with the club after a seven-year spell in Norfolk under former sporting director Stuart Webber. 

City advertised the role publicly and the job description stated that this person would be responsible for “driving all football and player development activities in line with the club’s overarching football strategy.”

"I’m delighted to be re-joining the club during this exciting period. I am grateful to Ben and Neil for giving me the opportunity and the responsibility, along with Joe [Shulberg], to continue the player development strand of the club’s football strategy," Rastrick told club channels.

"We have strong foundations and a proud tradition for developing young talent and I am looking forward to working with the academy staff and helping to continue this work.

"Player development is a long-term project and, with the support of everyone at the training ground and Carrow Road, I am confident that we can create an environment for our young players to thrive."

Sporting director, Ben Knapper said: "Dean’s credentials and track record in player development speaks for itself. We believe that his experience and impact at the highest level make him the ideal candidate to spearhead our work in that area going forwards.

"The academy is vital to our club strategy, and that focus will only increase as we progress. Dean represents another great step in our transition into the next chapter of our club’s journey, and we are all really excited to work with him and to leverage his expertise."

Rastrick's move is the latest in Knapper's rest of City's footballing strategy after the appointment of Johannes Hoff Thorup as head coach and the departure of others in scouting roles. 

Norwich have moved to secure the futures of highly rated young talent with Ken Aboh officially putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. 

The club also announced that other young talent such as Harry Brooke, Alfie Doy, Errol Mundle-Smith and Miles Bracking all signing professional terms. City welcomed 11 new scholars, including John Ruddy's son Jack, to their academy talent pool. 

Rastrick will be working closely with Thorup and Knapper on developing pathways for academy talent into the first-team, a key pillar of the strategy City's sporting director is seeking to implement.