Malcolm Elias, the man responsible for the development of Gareth Bale and Trent Alexander-Arnold, died after a brief illness.
Elias, head of recruitment at the Fulham Academy, joined the Liverpool Premier League club in 2009, having previously worked in Southampton.
In a statement, Fulham said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness.
“The head of recruitment of the club’s gym, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for digging up and nourishing young talents.
“The influence that Malcolm had in the modern game cannot be underestimated, having worked and developed such as Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to quote just a few.”
The Welsh Elias was born in 1953 and was fundamental in the development of his Bale Compatriot at Southampton Academy.
Bale won 111 Wales Country caps and had a successful club career with Saints, Tottenham and Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold of England won eight major trophies with Liverpool Childhood Club before Joining Real Madrid earlier this month.
“We are incredibly sad to learn of the death of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the history of the club’s youth development,” said Southampton.
