Van der Kraan joined Chelsea as Academy technical director two years ago and has been instrumental in the integration of playing style and philosophy across the club, contributing to one of the most successful periods in the Academy's history.

Last season, Chelsea Under-21s and Under-18s both won their respective league phases for the first time in the club’s history, while ten Academy graduates made first-team debuts and Academy coaches supported the senior set-up.

Van der Kraan said: ‘I am incredibly proud and honoured to take on the role of Academy Director at Chelsea Football Club after two thoroughly enjoyable years working with an amazing leadership team.

‘I want to thank the Sporting Directors and ownership for the faith they have shown in me and also to every single person in the Academy who has played their part in making this development programme successful. This club has a proud history of developing talented players and I am excited to help lead the next chapter.

‘We have a clear responsibility to support young players on and off the pitch, create the best possible learning environment, and ensure the Academy continues to play a significant role in the future success of the club. At Chelsea, we are relentless in our drive to make this Academy the best it can be, not just in England but in the world.’

Jack Francis, who has also played a significant role as a leader in reshaping the academy over the past two years, will head up a new programme specifically aimed at preparing youth players for the step up into senior football as the club’s new Pathways Director.

Francis, who has worked within the club’s Academy set-up for almost 16 years, said: ‘This is a really exciting and innovative project for the club and shows the dedication we have to preparing players for life in men’s football. There is so much talent within the club’s Academy and our job is to help those players fulfil their potential and perform at the highest level.

‘We are proud of all we have achieved so far, but we know the best is yet to come, and I thank the club’s ownership and Sporting Directors for this exciting opportunity.’

The academy is underpinned by an accomplished leadership team comprising Delroy Ebanks (Head of Recruitment), Jack Christopher (Head of Performance), Jamie Sellers (Head of Insights and Intelligence), Sam Page (Head of Player and Coach Development), Ben Knight (Head of Football Operations) and Hayley Griffin (Head of Football Services). Collectively, they oversee every aspect of the academy’s blueprint.