Elliott Hill, an executive who left the company after Donahoe’s appointment in 2020, will return as chief executive, Nike’s board said.

Nike has only had four chief executive offers. Elliott Hill will soon become the athletic giant's fifth. Hill, a company veteran of 32 years, was announced Thursday as the successor of John Donahoe, who has retired from his role as Nike Inc.

Nike said on Thursday that former senior executive Elliott Hill will rejoin the company to succeed John Donahoe as president and CEO, as the sportswear giant shakes up its top rank amid efforts to revive sales and battle rising competition.