Former Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley has passed away at the age of 63 following a short battle with illness, the club has announced.
Rowley, who played a crucial part in the Gunners' success under Arsene Wenger, spent over two decades with the north London club before departing in 2017.
He first joined in the 1980s and worked alongside both George Graham and Wenger, identifying and signing players who Arsenal insist proved 'instrumental' for them on the pitch.
A club statement read: 'Everyone at the Club is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our former Chief Scout Steve Rowley after a short illness.