Manchester United chief scout Javier Ribalta has left the club to join Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg just 13 months after arriving at Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old, formerly head scout for Juventus, has agreed a deal to become Zenit's new sporting director until 2021.
Ribalta joined United after five years with the Bianconeri, in which he played a key role in recruiting Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Kingsley Coman, Dani Alves and Alvaro Morata.
"I am very happy that I have become part of such a club," Ribalta said in a statement on the Zenit website.
"I have seen the victorious photos that adorn the Zenit offices and I want the club to be able to feel these emotions once again."
Ribalta also worked as a scout at Torino and AC Milan before becoming chief scout at Novara.
