In what is a major coup for the Dons, Colin has left his role with South Korea national women’s team and will immediately replace outgoing boss Clint Lancaster.

“I’m really excited to be here and I’m looking forward to getting down to work”, said the new AFC Women’s boss.

“I was searching for a new challenge and I think Aberdeen has huge potential. I want to help build something and be part of the vision the Club has for its women’s programme.

“There is work to do but there are strong foundations to build on and I believe we can achieve real success here.”

The 62-year-old is a hugely experienced and decorated coach in both men’s and women’s football. After a playing career that started in England with Leicester City, he moved to Germany and had seven years in lower-league football before moving into coaching.

He had seven years with TuS Koblenz as manager, before joining the coaching staff at FC Koln.

He then was back in management, leading Dynamo Dresden, SV Waldhof Mannheim and SC Preußen Münster. He was also U23s coach at 1. FSV Mainz 05, when Jurgen Klopp was cutting his teeth as boss at Die Nullfünfer.

He moved into women’s football for the first time in 2011 when he was named Head Coach at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr in Germany’s Women’s Bundesliga.

Two seasons later, Bell became the manager of 1. FFC Frankfurt. The team won the Frauen DFB Pokal in 2014 and, in his crowning achievement, won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2015, beating Paris SG 2-1 in the final.

He would have spells in Scandinavia and back in Germany before being named the National Team coach at the Republic of Ireland in 2017. He would have two successful years in post, before being attracted back to men’s football to become the assistant Head Coach to newly appointed Huddersfield Town boss Jan Siewert, when the duo were tasked with keeping the Terriers in the EPL.

However, it wasn’t long before he was back in the women’s game, this time taking over the South Korean national team, where he has been leading the team for the last five years. He was the first ever manager to guide Korea to the Asia Cup Final but lost a goal in the 93^rd minute to finish runner-up to China. He also led the team to qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.

With agreement from Korea Football Association, he will now take up his new role back in the United Kingdom, leading the Dons in the SWPL.

Commenting on the appointment of Colin, AFC Director of Football Steven Gunn said: “Following a very thorough process, with some top quality candidates, we’re delighted to welcome Colin to Aberdeen.

“He brings a vast amount of experience in women’s football, and his arrival is a sign of our intent for the development of our programme.

“Colin’s immediate priority will be to build the team, promoting emerging talent from the Girls’ Academy and utilising his vast network across the UK and beyond.

“We now look forward to the challenges of the season ahead.”

We will have a full interview on RedTV shortly, welcoming Colin to the Dons.