Former Celtic striker follows Richard Hughes from Liverpool to Al Hilal

Former Celtic striker Mark Burchill has reportedly left his role as Liverpool’s chief scout to join Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.

The 46-year-old has followed former Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to the Saudi Pro League club, according to The Athletic, bringing his two-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield to an end.

Burchill came through the ranks at Celtic and scored 20 goals in 66 appearances for the Hoops before leaving Parkhead in 2001. He later moved into recruitment following the end of his playing career.

After working alongside Hughes at Bournemouth, Burchill joined Liverpool as chief scout in March 2024 as part of an overhaul of the club’s recruitment department.

He will now reunite with Hughes at Al Hilal after the former Scotland international left Liverpool on Saturday following the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

Hughes said: “It has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution.

“That is something I will always be grateful for.”

Burchill is not the only member of Liverpool’s scouting department making the move, with head of scouting operations Craig McKee also reportedly joining Al Hilal.

Hughes played a major role in Liverpool’s appointment of Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor and oversaw a significant period of recruitment at Anfield, with around £700million spent on new arrivals during his tenure, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.