The former England defender Jonathan Woodgate has joined Liverpool as a scout.

The 36-year-old recently retired after an 18-year playing career that included stints at Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City.

It is understood his role will be on helping Liverpool’s 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. He will also scout in Portugal and may be used by the club to oversee specific targets elsewhere.

Liverpool have brought several players from Spain and Portugal in recent seasons with modest success. Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, João 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 squad.