Liverpool have appointed former England defender Jonathan Woodgate as the club’s European scout, reports BBC Sport.
The former Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Stoke City defender was released by Middlesbrough in May following their promotion to the Premier League.
A surprise return to Leeds was rumoured, but the 36-year-old has called time on his playing career and has been hired by Liverpool to scout players in continental Europe, mainly around Spain and Portugal, as well as possibly being used by the Reds to cast his eye over specific targets elsewhere.
Liverpool Appoint Former England Defender, Jonathan Woodgate As European Scout
Woodgate, who gained eight England caps during his career, played in Spain with Real Madrid for three years. but only made nine appearances during his time at the Bernabeu as injuries persisted. He was later voted Madrid’s worst signing of the 21st century by a Spanish sports website Marca.com.
Liverpool have recruited several players from Spain and Portugal in recent years with mixed results such as the likes of Lazar Markovic who joined from Benfica in 2014 for £20 million but has yet to live up to the hype. Only left-back Alberto Moreno currently remains in the first-team picture.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side kick-off the 2016/17 Premier League with a trip to London to face Arsenal on Sunday.
Main Photo:
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Jonathan Woodgate of Middlesbrough celebrates with son Carter as they reach the final after the Sky Bet Championship Playoff semi final second leg match between Middlesbrough and Brentford at the Riverside Stadium on May 15, 2015 in Middlesbrough, England. Boro won the match 3-0 and 5-1 on aggregate. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
