Gateshead-born Jones becomes an assistant to Steve Bruce and will work alongside Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Steve Harper. Academy Head of Coaching, Ben Dawson, will also remain with the Magpies' first team until the end of the current season.

Jones joins his boyhood club from AFC Bournemouth, where he was assistant to Cherries boss Jason Tindall.

Jones said: "I'm proud to be here at the team I supported as a boy, and all of my life. During my playing and coaching career, it has always been the first result I would look for after my own.

"Now, I've hopefully got a chance to have a direct influence on results and the future of the football club, which is something I'm very excited for."

Newcastle United head coach, Steve Bruce, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Graeme on board. He is vastly experienced and I could tell speaking to him that he is hugely passionate about the club and very keen to join us."He is from here but has been away for 35 years so the opportunity to come in and give us a hand is one he has jumped at."

GRAEME JONES' CAREER SO FAR

A striker during his 15-year playing career, Graeme Jones represented clubs including Doncaster Rovers, Wigan Athletic, St Johnstone, Southend and Boston United before hanging up his boots at Hamilton Academical in 2006.

After gaining coaching experience with the Accies, he became assistant to then-Swansea City manager and former Latics teammate Roberto Martinez and their partnership would continue at Wigan Athletic, Everton and with the Belgium national team.

Jones left the Red Devils' international setup to return to the UK in 2018, firstly joining West Bromwich Albion’s coaching team before becoming manager of newly-promoted Championship side Luton Town.

He left Kenilworth Road in April 2020 and has since helped AFC Bournemouth to this season's Championship play-off places.