Jamie Cureton has revealed how Arsenal appointed him as a youth coach.

Farnborough striker Cureton has been announced as an Arsenal youth coach after the Gunners approached him in the summer.

“I got approached in the summer to see if I was interested and it was something that really took my fancy I suppose, being Arsenal, there are not many better places to start learning your trade,” Cureton exclusively told Football London.

“So we sorted it all out and I’ve been in the last two or three weeks and it’s been really good so far. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m getting used to a different side of football.”

While the 42-year-old isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots yet and expects to be playing for at least another season, he’s already been coaching Arsenal’s u15s and u16s at the Hale End academy for three weeks.

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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Jamie Cureton of Dagenham & Redbridge in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge at Sixfields Stadium on January 17, 2015 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

The ex-Bristol player has also played for the likes of Norwich, Reading and QPR during a career which started in 1993 with the Canaries and has lasted over two decades. In fact, as Football London points out, he’s approaching his 1,000th game, which is a massive achievement.

Earlier in the month, Cureton revealed that he’d been doing his coaching badges and laid out his work schedule with the club for the short-term future. He’ll be working Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday at Hale End as a part-time assistant and presumably spending the rest of his time playing for Evo-Stik League South Premier division side Farnborough.

Cureton has already scored three goals in eight appearances so far this season, so he’s still got it.

It’s good to have him on board and even better to see him speak so proudly about the decision.