Celtic announce international academy partnerships in the USA

FOLLOWING the announcement of a formal tie up with St Louis Lions earlier this week, Celtic Football Club is pleased to announce two further developmental partnerships in the USA. The club will work with the Player Development Academy based in New Jersey along with FC Greater Boston Bolts in Massachusetts.

As part of this partnership, Celtic will send academy coaches to the US to spend time working with both players and coaches in the New Jersey and Massachusetts areas.

Coaches from both US clubs will also spend time in Glasgow to get a behind-the-scenes insight into how the club produces young players the Celtic Way.

Some of the players will also be invited to spend time at the club's Lennoxtown Training Centre to aid their development.

Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart, said: “We are always striving to add to and improve the structure we have in place here domestically.

"We feel that developing strong relationships with like-minded clubs around the globe will provide us with a wonderful platform to share coaching intellect, grow the scouting network and of course look out for some young and exciting talent who would compliment and enhance our youth squads here.”

Gerry McKeown, the Director of Coaching for PDA in New Jersey, shared his club’s views on the partnership.

“Players Development Academy (PDA) is delighted to become a part of Celtic Football Club’s international family. We will embrace the history, culture and core values of Celtic.

“On the field we will commit to playing possession based, attacking football that will be entertaining and a joy to be a part of as a young player.

“Off the field we will remain faithful to the mission of Brother Walfrid and continue our inner-city initiatives and scholarship programs to bring the game to the underprivileged youth players in the greater New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.”

With the strong Celtic fan bases in the Boston and New Jersey areas, the clubs hope this can help engage existing fans and build a new army of supporters within these clubs.

FC Greater Boston Bolts’ Director of Coaching, Brian Ainscough, also highlighted his club’s enthusiasm for the agreement.

“First of all, to get the opportunity to partner one of the top clubs in international football is unbelievable,” he said.

“Our players and staff will get the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches around throughout the year. Hopefully, down the road, one of our top players will be wearing the green and white hoops of Celtic.”