Experienced AFL administrator Tim Silvers has been appointed as chief executive of the Adelaide Crows.

Silvers joins the Crows from Hawthorn, where he has spent the past 17 years in a variety of roles including, most recently, as chief operating officer.

Silvers, who replaces Andrew Fagan who resigned as Adelaide’s CEO in late January, is expected to start at the Crows within weeks.

“I understand what it means to be part of a successful culture both on and off the field,” Silvers said in a statement on Wednesday.

“And together with the board, management, staff, coaches and players, I am determined to make this club the best it can possibly be.”

Adelaide chairman John Olsen described Silvers as the ideal administrator for the South Australian club.

“Having been part of a successful era at Hawthorn, Tim has an intimate working knowledge of what it takes to deliver sustained success at the elite level,“ Olsen said in a statement.

“We conducted a thorough and rigorous process and the feedback was unanimous: he is a passionate, driven and authentic values-based leader who has a great understanding of the football landscape.

“He also has a proven track record of delivering strong financial and commercial results.”