Making over 670 appearances in English football as a player, Jon Stead is no stranger to the domestic scene.
However, after spending 20 years on home shores, Stead made the switch to the States which eventually lead to linking up with former Sunderland teammate Neill Collins at Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Now the pair migrate back to the UK together to continue their coaching partnership at Oakwell alongside Martin Devaney.
"It feels fantastic," beamed Stead. "We've seen the guys train today, getting down to business. I'm absolutely thrilled to bits.
"The decision was very easy. This is a huge career step for myself. I knew that I wanted to work with Neill for as long as possible and this gives me the opportunity to do that as well.
"It helps that a lot of my family are local to the area also. I've seen people I haven't seen in the last 18 months which will be nice. It's a great opportunity and such an easy decision to make when it's coming to a club of this stature.
"Somewhere that has had great success last season - we want to go one better."
