Former Richmond key defender Will Thursfield is returning to Tigerland to work in the Club’s recruiting department.

Thursfield, who played 77 games with the Tigers from 2005-2011, has been appointed to the role of Pro Scout and Recruiting Officer.

Since retiring from AFL football at the end of the 2011 season, Thursfield has coached Gippsland league club Leongatha and had a part-time coaching involvement at TAC Cup team Northern Knights.

In recent years, he’s been working full-time as a player manager with MAC Sports.

Thursfield will start his new role at Richmond next Monday.