Former Blues academy coach and defender Chris Casement, who left his role at Playford Road at the end of last week, has started a new job with Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.

Casement, 38, confirmed on LinkedIn that he has joined the club where fellow Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers is head coach.

“I’m very grateful to share that I’ve started a new position at Al-Qadsiah Saudi Club as an individual development coach,” he wrote.

Casement came through the academy ranks at Playford Road and was in the U18s side which won the FA Youth Cup in 2005, before going on to make seven starts and seven sub appearances for the first team.

Having had spells on loan at Millwall, Hamilton and Wycombe, the once-capped Northern Ireland international moved on to Dundee, Portadown and Linfield before returning to Suffolk in the summer of 2021 and working at the academy while also playing for Stowmarket.

After stints coaching the U16s and U18s, Belfast-born Casement coached the U21s alongside John McGreal from September 2024 - initially while working as loans manager - until this summer when he briefly returned to the U16s.

Photo: TWTD