Everton’s new director of football Steve Walsh admits that he is relishing the dawn of an ‘exciting’ era at Goodison Park.
Walsh has been confirmed to the role created following Ronald Koeman’s appointment and arrives on Merseyside with a substantial track record for talent.
In 16 years scouting with Chelsea, he identified the likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Gianfranco Zola but it was at Leicester City that his greatest success came.
A five-year spell at the King Power Stadium saw Walsh spot a host of players, including Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, that helped the Foxes win the Premier League title.
And the 51-year-old, whose brother played for the Blues in the mid-1970s, is enthused by what lies ahead under new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
He said: “I’m proud and privileged to become Director of Football at such a fantastic and historic club.
“With a new manager and a new major shareholder, it feels very much like a new era here at Everton and that potential is what is most exciting.
“I know the Club well, my roots are in the north west and my brother, Mickey, was an Everton player in the Bob Latchford era and always proud of that fact.
“I also did my initial teacher training at Liverpool Hope University many years ago. I’m genuinely excited to be here at the club and very much looking forward to getting down to work.”