Alan Shearer is to become the first Premier League Champion - a new role in which he will partner with the League to support, celebrate and promote a variety of its work.
Shearer, the Premier League's record scorer with 260 goals and a title winner in 1994/95, will support the League's international fan engagement events, its community initiatives and the extensive youth development work in place to support young players in Academies.
He will also help to extend the reach and scope of the Premier League's Player Care Programme.
"It is an honour to be named as the Premier League's first Champion," three-time Golden Boot winner Shearer said. "From winning the title with Blackburn, playing for my boyhood club Newcastle, being the league's record goal-scorer and now covering it every week for television, I've been involved with the league from the very first day.
"I'm excited to now be part of its future, fulfilling my role across all its initiatives and passing on my experience to the next generation."
Shearer will play a key role promoting the Premier League's growing international fan engagement work, including in Mumbai this week when he attends Premier League Live - an event the League is putting on for 2,000 local fans, who can get up close and personal with the Premier League Trophy, and enjoy a range of fun and interactive experiences.
This partnership will also enable the Premier League to support and promote the Alan Shearer Foundation and the extensive local community work that it undertakes.
Shearer's Champion role will complement his position as a regular analyst for the Premier League's global broadcasting channel and for BBC Sport.
"The Premier League could have no better Champion than Alan Shearer, our leading goal scorer, respected throughout the game for his achievements and his long-standing commitment to using the power and popularity of football to help others," Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore said.
"He sets a great example to all: young players coming through the Academies or professionals in the final stages of their careers, and in this new role will provide the League with invaluable insight and guidance as we deliver more support, advice and opportunities for players."
Shearer's senior career began at Southampton (1988-1992), before he moved to Blackburn Rovers and enjoyed huge success, including winning the Premier League title and the Golden Boot in the 1994/95 season.
After another campaign at Blackburn which resullted in another Premier League Golden Boot win (1995/96) he joined his boyhood club Newcastle United for a world record transfer fee of £15m.
He played for Newcastle for 10 seasons and scored 148 Premier League goals. He is the club's record goal scorer with 206 goals across all competitions.
