ANGLESEY native Osian Roberts has left his role at the Football Association of Wales to take up a position in Morocco.

The popular figure was confirmed as the African nation’s new technical director, ending a 12-year involvement with the national set-up.

He leaves his position as Ryan Giggs’ assistant and the FAW’s technical director, having previously worked under Chris Coleman during Wales’ incredible run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

An FAW spokesman, said: “The FAW can confirm that Osian Roberts will step down from his role as Technical Director of FAW Trust and Assistant Manager of the Welsh National Team to become Technical Director at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

“Since his appointment as FAW Trust Technical Director in 2007, Roberts has become synonymous with the Welsh National Team’s ‘Welsh Way’ of coaching and playing over the past decade.

“Since 2010, he has played an integral role within the Wales coaching staff serving as Assistant Manager initially under Gary Speed and then from 2014 with Chris Coleman, reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016. He was subsequently appointed Assistant Coach under Ryan Giggs in 2018.

“The FAW would like to thank Osian for his commitment to Welsh football over the past 12 years and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

The 54-year-old has played a leading role in the development of professional and grassroots football in Wales for almost two decades, and Roberts was recently one of the primary supporters of the Huws Gray Inter Island Games tournament on Anglesey which was won by the Ynys Mon side.

Giggs, added: "I'm delighted for Osian taking up a new role and challenge at the Moroccan FA.

"I wish him all the best. I would like to thank him for all the support and input over the past 18 months and for the immense contribution he has made to Welsh football over the years."