The European-Major League Soccer partnerships keep piling up with the New England Revolution announcing today that they have penned a deal with Sporting Clube de Portugal for shared expertise, benefit and promotion for each club.
The multi-year strategic partnership has the goal of promoting collaboration of training and development methods for mens and youth squads while also exchanging scouting resources. Perhaps most significant, the deal will allow New England to add Sporting players on loan much like New York City FC can add Manchester City players.
“We’re very excited to partner with a club with such history and prestige as Sporting Clube de Portugal,” Revs president Brian Bilello said. “The opportunity to not only partner on activities to improve our first team, but also to work with their prestigious academy on youth development, will benefit our club for many years. We will also assist Sporting in their efforts to explore opportunities to increase Sporting’s reach within the United States, both on and off the field.”
Revs general manager Mike Burns was equally excited by the agreement. “Sporting has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in Europe, and we’re looking forward to working with their staff to share best practices, player talent and scouting resources. Both clubs have been recognized for our youth development programs, and we’re anticipating a tremendous shared benefit by this partnership.”
Sporting’s youth academy is widely recognized as one of the strongest in the world, having bred the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, Simao, Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho, Nuno Valente, Luis Boa Morte, Dani, Jose Fonte and Miguel Veloso, among others.