Liverpool FC are to launch a link up with Indian club DSK Shivajians FC and set up an academy with the club from Pune, reports The Liverpool Echo.
The facility will open in January 2014 and will be named The LFC International Football Academy DSK, it will consist of a residential complex featuring full-size pitches, practice areas, classrooms, changing rooms, a gym, canteen, lecture theatre and medical facilities.
Liverpool believe the new venture will be a world-class development centre for young players in India and will support aspiring young footballers up to the age of 18 with the opportunity to develop their game in a professional environment.
“At the Academy in Liverpool we aim to develop outstanding players and good human beings,” explained LFC academy director Frank McParland.
“The results speak for themselves as last season seven Academy players made their first-team debuts. Education and community work is key to the development of our young players and we look forward to taking our knowledge and experience of developing young footballers to India.
“This is the first time an English top-flight club has partnered with an Indian team to help them bring through local talent,” added Billy Hogan, LFC’s chief commercial officer.
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