Michael Strahan is new 'Live! with Kelly' co-host

Former NFL player Michael Strahan will be Kelly Ripa’s new co-host on Live! with Kelly, sources confirm to EW.

His hiring comes after a several months-long search for a new co-host to replace Regis Philbin, who left the show in November.

ABC had no comment.

Back in July, it was rumored that the field was down to three hosts — Strahan, SNL‘s Seth Meyers, and singer Josh Groban. In an EW poll, almost 50 percent of readers said Meyers was their top pick. Strahan came in second with 31 percent of the votes.

Yesterday, the show announced its new season would start Sept. 3 and feature Ripa hosting the show solo for the very first time. Her debut with a new co-host is set for Sept. 4, with guests Claire Danes and American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.

Related:

‘Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars’ pairs announced! They are….

Seth Meyers says ‘no, no, no’ to replacing Regis Philbin