Former Arsenal sporting director Edu has taken on a senior advisory role at League Two side Northampton Town. The appointment was confirmed by the club's co-chairman, Joao Xavier, as the Cobblers seek an upturn in fortunes under new Brazilian ownership.

Edu will combine this position with his existing role as a board member at Bulgarian club Levski Sofia. Xavier explained the nature of the appointment, stating that Edu is not involved in day-to-day operations but will provide guidance on sporting matters.

"Edu is a senior advisor for one of our partners, acting as an advisor for Levski Sofia and also here, helping us navigate the sporting questions here at the club," Xavier said. "Not day to day, just when we ask him and when we need him."

Edu's departure from Arsenal last year came as a surprise, given the club's resurgence as Premier League title challengers during his tenure. He left to join Evangelos Marinakis's multi-club network, which included Nottingham Forest, but his time at the City Ground was brief and did not work out as planned. Xavier revealed that he and Edu became friends during that period.

"We became friends as he had a role at Nottingham Forest and I asked him to help me learn more about English football," Xavier said.

During his time at the Emirates, Edu was instrumental in the club's rebuild, overseeing the appointment of Mikel Arteta and backing him with significant signings. He presided over the club-record acquisition of Declan Rice from West Ham, as well as the arrivals of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. His work helped lay the foundation for the team's current success.

Arsenal are now second in the Premier League standings with 18 points from seven games, just three points behind leaders Manchester City. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a run that includes a 2-0 victory over Everton on Friday. Their next fixture is a key away match against fifth placed Liverpool on 1 November.

Northampton Town, sitting 23rd in League Two with only two wins from ten games, face a serious relegation battle. The club was recently taken over by a Brazilian consortium that includes former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato. The new owners are hoping their high-profile connections, including Edu, can spark an immediate revival and avoid a drop to the National League for the first time in over a century.

The club is marking its first Saturday home fixture since the takeover by selling special 'Northampton X Brazil' merchandise. Edu's advisory role is seen as a key part of the new ownership's strategy to stabilise and improve the club's sporting direction.

More detail at Daily Mirror Football