Meizhou Hakka, Hoffenheim to build soccer academy in Guangdong

September 17: China League One club, Meizhou Hakka, has signed a partnership agreement with German Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Under the terms of their agreement, the pair will work closely to set up a professional soccer school in Wuhua County, which will be the third of its kind in Guangdong Province after Evergrande Football School and R&F Soccer School.

The 5 or 10-year agreement, will also see the local government more responsible for the construction project, enrollment and management. Hoffenheim is expected to design a plan involving youth training, foreign coaching and scouting. 

Specifically, the Bundesliga team will introduce a coaching team in China as part of a long-term plan. Each coach will be responsible for the training of 25 to 30 young players, who can also have access to overseas training and international games each year.

The soccer school is designed to land in Wuhua Soccer Town, an RMB1.6 billion project that is scheduled to be completed in 2019. The school will recruit 300 students aged 8 to 18 each year once it comes into service.

Source: Sohu

Proofread by William Logsdon