The man who discovered 17-year-old England striker Theo Walcott has been snapped up by Liverpool for a key role at the club's academy.
Malcolm Elias has agreed to become the academy's director of recruitment, after using an identical position at Southampton to transform the Saints into English football's best current production line of young talent.
The appointment is seen as the club's attempt to breathe life into the £10million academy, which has failed to produce the expected volume of quality players since its opening in 1999.
Chief executive Rick Parry told the club's official website:
"Malcolm has a fantastic track record at Southampton and an extremely good reputation.
"We've been looking to expand our recruitment department at The Academy for some time, and this appointment is part of that. As ever, we've taken an opportunity to bring one of the best in the business to Liverpool." 
