CHAMPIONS League experience has come in the door at Somerset Park.

It comes as Ayr United unveiled their latest signing - Aiden McGeady.

The tricky winger joins Lee Bullen's side after becoming a free agent when he left Hibernian at the end of last season.

McGeady, 37, has signed a two year deal with Ayr, and will also take on the newly-created role of the club's technical manager.

Bullen told the club's official website: "First and foremost it’s great for us to bring a player of Aiden’s experience and quality to Ayr United.

"We wanted to add experience to our group and having worked with Aiden previously I’ve no doubt he will bring real quality to our team and be a very positive addition to our changing room.

"In addition to playing, Aiden is looking at the transition into the next stage of his career and we are delighted to have him come on board as technical manager.

"This is an innovative appointment by the club and the role has been formed to help Aiden gain experience in areas he sees as a potential career when he eventually stops playing.

"In addition to his coaching qualifications, Aiden is currently completing a Sporting Director undergraduate degree with UFCB [the University Campus of Football Business] and his key focus as technical manager will be to work with the football staff and take the lead on the development of the talented young players we have at the club through a variety of additional on-field sessions, analysis sessions, gym sessions and looking into their loan opportunities to ensure they are as prepared as possible to transition into the first team.

"Aiden will also join our fortnightly football meetings and we are all looking forward to his input both on and off the field."

The Irishman brings a wealth of experience to the Honest Men, having enjoyed successful spells both north and south of the border.

His career began in Glasgow with Celtic, where the youngster dazzled after breaking through under Martin O'Neill.

He spent six years with Parkhead side, winning four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup in his time - along with several individual accolades.

At the age of 24, he moved in 2010 to Russia to play for Spartak Moscow, making 93 appearances over four years before returning to the UK to sign for Everton.

In his four years on Merseyside McGeady had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday - where Bullen was coaching at the time - and Preston North End.

He then made a permanent move to Sunderland in 2017 - the season the Black Cats were relegated from the English Championship.

McGeady, who has been capped 95 times for the Republic of Ireland, was loaned out to Charlton Athletic during the 2019-20 campaign, but returned to the Stadium of Light to win the EFL Trophy in 2020-21 and the League One play-offs the following year.

A short-term move to Hibernian followed at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, but injury woes limited him to just 14 appearances for the Easter Road club.

Now, he comes to Somerset Park hoping to lift Lee Bullen's side to the next level after their second place finish in last year's Championship.

And with 30 Champions League appearances, and two goals, under his belt - his experience will be a welcome edition to the side.