Academy boss Elias - who developed Bale and Alexander-Arnold - dies

Malcolm Elias, nan man responsible for processing Gareth Bale and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has died aft a short illness.

Elias, Fulham's caput of academy recruitment, joined nan Premier League nine from Liverpool successful 2009, having antecedently worked astatine Southampton.

In a statement, Fulham said: "It is pinch profound sadness that we denote nan passing of our workfellow and beloved friend, Malcolm Elias, aft a short illness.

"The club's caput of academy recruitment, Malcolm had a awesome estimation successful shot for unearthing and nurturing young talent.

"The power that Malcolm had connected nan modern crippled cannot beryllium understated, having worked pinch and developed nan likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to sanction but a few."

Welshman Elias was calved successful 1953 and was cardinal successful nan improvement of his compatriot Bale astatine nan Southampton academy.

Bale went connected to triumph 111 Wales caps and enjoyed a successful nine profession pinch Saints, Tottenham and Real Madrid, wherever he won 5 Champions League titles.

England's Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, won 8 awesome trophies pinch boyhood nine Liverpool earlier joining Real Madrid earlier this month.

"We are incredibly saddened to study of nan passing of Malcolm Elias, 1 of nan influential figures successful nan club's younker improvement history," Southampton said.