The Yellows have launched a new academy in Kuala Lumpur
Villarreal CF has reached Malaysia. Through the Villarreal Academy international expansion project, the club has created a new academy in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the country in south-east Asia. Villarreal Malaysia Academy is aimed at youngsters from three years old to 21 years old. In 2022, the new academy will have the capacity to work with more than 400 players and 20 members of coaching staff.
With Villarreal CF arriving in Malaysia, the club will offer big opportunities for footballers from Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas. The academy will officially start its activity in August 2022, opening its doors to all young talent from the area who want to be part of the official Villarreal CF partner academy, which plans to expand its reach by opening centres all over the country.
Players will not only have the chance to train under the methodology of a leading European soccer club, but will also have opportunities to visit Spain to train with or play friendly matches against Villarreal CF Academy teams.
Villarreal Malaysia Academy CEO, Massimo Giannelli, has a clear mission for the academy and is excited to work hand in hand with Villarreal CF. “We aim to establish Villarreal Malaysia Academy as the best football development programme in Malaysia. Our mission is to be as inclusive as we can and offer the programme to everyone and instil within them the love of the game of football. I was looking to partner with a club that had a clear and evident strategy for youth development. I had previously held conversations with multiple European clubs, but once we spoke with Villarreal we realised we had found the right partner for our next stage of development.”
Jonathan Abishegam, managing director at Villarreal Malaysia Academy, believes the academy will provide great opportunities for young soccer players all across Malaysia. “We want to bring Villarreal’s success in Spain and Europe to Malaysia. We believe that the methodology that we will adopt and the knowledge that we will learn from Villarreal combined with our amazing facilities and experienced coaching team will create an opportunity for our players to experience the highest standards available that will set them apart. This program is meant to be shared, it’s for the masses. We want to give an equal opportunity to boys and girls of all backgrounds as much as we can. Whether it’s for the player looking for a fun recreational program playing with their friends or the young aspiring talent who dreams of playing football in Europe, these opportunities will be made available here at Villarreal Malaysia Academy.”
As well as Villarreal Malaysia Academy, Villarreal CF has various academies around the world, as part of the Villarreal Academy project. The Yellows are currently working in countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Israel, Australia, South Korea and Malaysia.
Find out more at: www.villarrealmalaysia.com
