Adds details on Cordani in paragraphs 4-5

March 3 (Reuters) - Cigna Group CI.N said on Tuesday it has appointed longtime executive Brian Evanko to succeed Chief Executive Officer David Cordani, who is set to retire on July 1.

Evanko, 49, is the president and chief operating officer at the health insurer, and has been overseeing its portfolio across the insurance segment Cigna Healthcare and health services unit Evernorth.

"Brian is an exceptional leader and the right person to guide the Cigna Group into its next chapter," said Cordani, who would become the executive chair of the board following the transition.

Cordani, 60, joined Cigna in 1991 and has held a number of senior leadership roles. He was the group's CEO since 2009.

Under his leadership, the company bought pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts in 2018 for $54 billion.

The health insurer also reaffirmed its full-year 2026 forecast for consolidated adjusted income from operations of at least $30.25 per share.

Its shares were down marginally in premarket trading.