David Beckham has hired top cyber-security experts to track down the hackers responsible for leaking a series of emails that have tarnished his reputation

David Beckham has hired top cyber-security experts to track down the hackers responsible for leaking a series of emails that have tarnished his reputation.

London-based Marclay Associates have been employed by the former footballer to try and identify who stole the 18.6million messages and documents.

Marclay Associates says on its website: 'We rapidly react to serious cyber incidents within your organisation, helping you manage the crisis and minimise damage.'

It is run by Jake Hockley, who previously worked for the British Government before moving to the private sector in 2012.

A source told The Mirror's Tom Bryant: 'Beckham's team take this all very seriously indeed and have employed the best in the business.'

The emails allegedly showed how desperate Becks was to ensure he was made ‘Sir David’ – and the lengths to which he would go to achieve his goal, even using his charity work.

When his campaign failed, he allegedly lashed out with an expletive-littered outburst.

London-based Marclay Associates have been employed by the former footballer - seen in London today - to try and find out who stole the 18.6million messages and documents

A spokesman for Beckham said: ‘This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture.’

The emails were published by Football Leaks - the sport's equivalent of WikiLeaks.

It is understood Marclay Associates has had success in the past closing down Football Leaks accounts.

The Mirror also reported that Beckham's public relations adviser Simon Oliveira has made contact with British police to discuss an investigation into the hack.

Police officers have launched a probe in Portugal, where information was hacked from servers of Doyen Global, the firm run by Mr Oliveira.

Marclay Associates did not comment when contacted by The Mirror.