Man Utd To Develop International Talent
Manchester United have signed a new development partnership with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and telecoms firm Bakcell that will see the Premier League club help develop youth soccer in the country, introducing its Manchester United Soccer School brand in the Azeri capital, Baku.
Bakcell, an existing partner of the club, will help fund the school.
The club, who claimed their first win of the season on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers, revealed record revenue last week – however the announcement also confirmed profits had fallen by as much as 84%.
Richard Arnold, Manchester United Group managing director, said: ‘This exciting initiative will link the club to a national football federation for the first time.’
‘Azerbaijan is a burgeoning football nation and is home to over a million Manchester United followers, so founding this relationship with the help of our friends at Bakcell is a fantastic development.’
AFFA president Rovnag Abdullayev added: ‘Taking into consideration the interest in football and serious potential of Azerbaijani children, Bakcell – being the people’s mobile operator, is proud to be implementing successful projects, aimed at developing children’s football, and showing that our company will continue to do important work in this direction.’
