Chelsea have appointed Christopher Vivell as the club’s new technical director. The 36-year-old previously worked at RB Leipzig in his native Germany where he was responsible for recruitment and scouting across all age groups. The Chelsea chairman, Todd Boehly, said: “We are delighted that Christopher is taking up this important leadership role at the club. “His work in Germany and Austria speaks for itself. We are confident he will continue on his impressive trajectory here at Chelsea.” Vivell said: “Chelsea are building the most exciting project in global football and I’m extremely proud to be joining the club. There is so much potential for the club to continue to succeed, develop and grow. “Under the new ownership, Graham Potter and the broader sporting team, there is a clear and sustainable philosophy underpinned by performance analysis, data and innovation, and I am looking forward to playing a part in that.” Vivell spent five years with Leipzig’s sister club RB Salzburg as head of scouting and recruitment, overseeing the signings of Erling Haaland and Karim Adeyemi during his time in Austria. He had worked as first-team scout at Hoffenheim in Germany before that. Vivell succeeds Petr Cech, the former Chelsea goalkeeper who left in the summer after three years in the role. He will be responsible for scouting and data, working alongside Potter and recruitment specialist Kyle Macaulay. The appointment means that Vivell will be in place for the January transfer window, when Chelsea are expected to be in the market for several new players. He was originally targeted for the role by Boely at the start of the season but Vivell wassacked by Leipzig in October after being linked to the Premier League side.