Mike Dean signs with Sky Sports after stepping down from VAR role

Mike Dean has been snapped up by Sky Sports and will be a weekly feature of their new-look Soccer Saturday show after stepping down from PGMOL duties.

Dean, who announced on Saturday that he had decided to stop officiating in the Premier League, will provide expert analysis of refereeing decisions made in England's top-flight fixtures.

Soccer Saturday will also be hosted by Simon Thomas following the departure of Jeff Stelling, while Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith, Kris Boyd and Tim Sherwood will be among the familiar faces featuring on the panel.

The Saturday show, which started in 1992, will be broadcast from a new studio this season and Dean, 55, said it was 'surreal to be a part of such a well-loved show'. 

He added: 'With all the technology available in today's game, I think it's crucial that fans understand why decisions have been made, even if they don't agree with them!'

Thomas said: 'Being asked to present this iconic show and follow in the footsteps of Jeff Stelling, an absolute giant of sports broadcasting, is a massive honour and one I simply cannot wait to get started on.'

Mike Dean has joined Sky Sports as a new refereeing pundit on their Soccer Saturday show

Dean spent the last Premier League season working as a VAR before turning his attention to coaching his fellow match officials.

His departure from the PGMOL spelled the end of an era after he first took to officiating in 1985. 

He was promoted to the Premier League in 2000 and went on to oversee more than 550 matches.