GENEVA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- World soccer governing body FIFA on Wednesday formally appointed its former marketing chief Jerome Valcke as its general secretary.

Valcke replaces Urs Linsi, who was FIFA's general secretary for five years.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter served as general secretary for 17 years under his predecessor Joao Havelange. Valcke is the third general secretary to work with Blatter since he succeeded Havelange in 1998.