London, Sep 12 (IANS): English football champions Leicester City on Monday appointed Spaniard Eduardo Macia as their new recruitment chief after a poor start to the season.

Steve Walsh was credited with snapping up star names like N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez who helped the Foxes win the English Premier League (EPL) season.

But he departed for Everton this summer to join chief coach Ronald Koeman's revolution.

Macia, 42, begins work at Leicester with immediate effect. He previously worked as a scout at Liverpool and was said to be a target for Manchester United too.

Macia previously worked with Leicester head coach Claudio Ranieri in La Liga at Valencia.

"Eduardo's appointment follows an extensive process undertaken by the football club," Leicester Director of Football Jon Rudkin said in a statement.

"His expertise and network of contacts will add considerable strength to our existing team of recruitment staff, whose skill and diligence contributed greatly to a successful summer transfer window."

Macia has also worked with Greek champions Olympiakos, Spanish side Real Betis and Italian club Fiorentina.