Ajax announce partnership with Royale Orlando Football Academy
Amsterdam club to start scouting in United
States
05 August: Ajax
has formally established a link to the American soccer talent
market. Today, Ajax.nl announced the signing of a partnership
deal with the Royale Orlando Football Academy, which will
continue under the name of Ajax Orlando and will play its
games in Ajax's red and white jersey.
One of the most important activities will be the
organization of football summer camps and youth tournaments
under the flag of Ajax. Ajax and the newly born Ajax Orlando
will also exchange information and advice. Members of Ajax
Orlando's technical staff will travel to Amsterdam to learn
about the Ajax youth system and the club's technical knowledge.
The parties signed a partnership contract until 31 December
2006.
The football teams of the Florida academy used to play their
games under the name of Royale Orlando FC, but will be named
Ajax Orlando from now on. The teams will play in Ajax's red and
white strip from now on and will also introduce a new logo,
similar to the original Ajax Amsterdam club crest. Ajax Orlando
will also start a joint venture with one of Ajax's sponsors,
The Advanced Travel Partners (ATP).
Jeroen Slop, financial
director of Ajax, presents Mark Dillon with an Ajax
Orlando shirt and a statue of Ajax. [Photo: AFC AJAX,
Gerard van Hees] |
Ajax's co-operation with Ajax Orlando will be similar to the
existing technical partnerships with Dutch First Division side
FC Haarlem, Belgian First Class club Germinal Beerschot Antwerp
and Ghanese club Ashanti Goldfields. Ajax will not have a
majority's stake in Ajax Orlando. The only partner in which
Ajax has a financial stake is Ajax Cape Town.
Perhaps the most important part of the partnership for
supporters of Ajax Amsterdam is the fact that Ajax Amsterdam
will have the right to contract talented Ajax Orlando players.
Also, Ajax and Ajax Orlando will investigate the possibilities
for Ajax Amsterdam's first team come to the United States for
training camps and friendly fixtures. (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl
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