Peter Kenyon has left his job as Manchester United chief executive to take the same position at their English premier league rivals Chelsea.
The news emerged last night and was confirmed by United in a stock exchange statement this morning.
The appointment of Kenyon, who is being replaced at United by David Gill, represents a boardroom coup for Chelsea following their £110m player buying spree since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over in July.
'The new opportunity that has arisen at Chelsea represents a challenge that Mr Kenyon feels is right to take at this stage of his career,' a statement from his solicitors said.
Gill, 46, joined United in 1997 as finance director from First Choice Holidays and succeeded Kenyon as deputy chief executive in August 2000 before being promoted to group managing director almost a year later.
Kenyon took over as United chief executive from Martin Edwards in August 2000 after joining the club in 1997 from sportswear manufacturer Umbro International.
