Former England defender Jonathan Woodgate has joined Liverpool as a scout, Press Association Sport understands.

Woodgate, 36, retired in the summer ending an 18-year playing career that included stints at Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City.

His attention will now be on helping the Reds’ recruitment drive, focusing on continental Europe.

Woodgate spent three years in Madrid from 2004 to 2007 and, having learned the language, is expected to be based in Spain for his new role.

He will also scout in Portugal and may be used by the club to oversee specific targets elsewhere along the season.

Liverpool have brought several players from Spain and Portugal in recent seasons with a modest success rate.

Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Joao Carlos Teixeira, Tiago Ilori, Lazar Markovic, Javier Manquillo and Aly Cissokho have all struggled to make an impact at Anfield, though Alberto Moreno remains in the first-team picture.

As someone familiar with football in both territories, Woodgate will be expected to identify players who can flourish under Juergen Klopp in the Premier League.

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