Villarreal CF opens its second academy in the UAE and the first in the capital, Abu Dhabi

Villarreal CF continues its international expansion through the Villarreal Academy project with the launch of Villarreal Abu Dhabi Academy, the club’s second official partner academy in the United Arab Emirates and the first in the capital, Abu Dhabi. Pre registration will open on 1st June through the academy’s official website ahead of its official opening in September 2026. Until then, interested players can join the priority list by registering at www.villarrealabudhabi.com.

The director of Villarreal Abu Dhabi Academy, Yusef Wahid, is a former Villarreal CF academy and professional football player. Yusef grew up surrounded by football in both Spain and England, as his father, Nayim, played professionally in both countries. Nayim became a pioneer as the first Spanish and Muslim player to sign for the Premier League, representing Tottenham Hotspur, while also playing in Spain for FC Barcelona and Real Zaragoza. Yusef joined the Villarreal CF Academy at the age of 14 and shared both dressing room and residence with players such as Rodri Hernández, Pau Torres and Álex Baena. Now, this new project in Abu Dhabi, led by Yusef, has been created with the aim of giving back to football everything it has given him. Driven by a family with deep football roots and a strong connection to Villarreal CF, the academy will offer a unique and solid pathway to elite football for young players in Abu Dhabi.

Yusef expressed his excitement about leading Villarreal’s new international partner academy in the UAE: “This is a huge opportunity for players in Abu Dhabi. As a former Villarreal CF player, I know exactly how the club works. For me, Villarreal’s methodology is the best in Europe and perhaps even in the world. The career I had in football was thanks to Villarreal CF and I want to pass that on to ambitious young footballers in Abu Dhabi. Our academy offers a pathway to professional football through our collaboration with Villarreal CF and my team, and I cannot wait to get started.”

Speaking about the launch of the project, Yusef explained: “We will open our doors in June 2026 to recruit players for our teams at our new facilities: 35 Al Mithaq St, Madinat Al Riyad, Baniyas North, Abu Dhabi. We encourage all boys and girls who want to develop as footballers and reach their full potential to come and trial for the opportunity to join Villarreal Abu Dhabi Academy for the 2026/27 season.”

Juan Antón, Villarreal CF’s commercial director, expressed his satisfaction with this agreement alongside such a special partner: “We are delighted to support this new project in Abu Dhabi with a partner who has been part of our family from a very young age. Yusef understands perfectly what it means to grow within our academy, develop as a footballer and reach professional football, and now we are supporting his desire to give back to the game everything he has received. He comes from a great football family, with his father Nayim being a renowned former Spanish player, and we believe this is a very exciting project in the Middle East. We hope to offer unique opportunities for players and coaches in Abu Dhabi and grow together in this new adventure.”