Former Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna has been appointed the footballing director of New York City FC.

The club, which will enter the MLS in 2015, will be co-owned by Premier League outfit City and the New York Yankees.

Following his appointment as the club's first employee, 39-year-old Reyna expressed his eagerness to get started.

"Having had the privilege of playing both for my country here in the US and for Manchester City, I could not have hoped for a more tailored-made opportunity in soccer," said the American. "I am incredibly excited to again wear City's sky blue [shirt] as part of the expansion of the MLS and the growth of soccer in the United States, and am honoured to have been offered this opportunity.

"With a large fan base through the New York area, prime television rights and distribution, sponsorship commitments, and the Yankees as a US partner, the New York City Football Club has everything in place to succeed."

As well as City, Reyna also played for Rangers and Sunderland during his stint in Britain.