Former Arsenal player joins Crawley Town as player-coach

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Menon has now joined Crawley Town as player-coach. Menon, 38, will lead Crawley's goalkeeping department, but will also be registered on the player list and available for selection, having retired when his contract expired at the end of last year. Crawley confirmed the appointment, saying: "Crawley Town Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of former Arsenal, Sunderland and Reading goalkeeper Vito Menon as player-coach." Menon last worked as academy goalkeeper coach at Brighton & Hove Albion. Menon joined Arsenal in 2005 as a 17-year-old from Atalanta, signing for £350,000. He made 23 first-team appearances from 2006 to 2013, including clean sheets against Wigan, Fulham and Olympiacos. Following his appointment, Menon said: "I am delighted and honored to take on this role and look forward to meeting everyone at the club and working with the staff and players. I will give everything to the cause and hopefully share my experiences in what will be a successful year." Head coach Colin Kazim-Richards also welcomed the appointment, saying: "It is an honor in itself to add Vito's caliber to our coaching staff. His knowledge and experience of football, playing with the best coaches, will take us to another level." Having played for 10 clubs, Menon's experience will prove helpful in his coaching journey.