FC Goa announce three-year partnership with Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig

The focus of the partnership between the clubs will be on the training and development of young Indian players.

Indian Super League outfit FC Goa announced a three-year strategic partnership with Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig on Thursday. The partnership between the two clubs will be in effect until June 30, 2023 and will help garner opportunities both in the football and business spheres for the two clubs.

With a vision to grow the beautiful game, the coming together of two of the biggest names in India and Germany presents an opportunity to exchange ideas and make footballing knowledge more easily accessible. The primary focus of the partnership will be youth development.

RB Leipzig become the third Bundesliga club following Borussia Monchengladbach (Minerva Punjab FC) and Borussia Dortmund (Hyderabad FC) to partner with an Indian outfit. On the other hand, it will also be the first time for the Gaurs to join hands with a club of Leipzig's caliber, who were the semi-finalists of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season. RB Leipzig are owned by Red Bull, who also own three other clubs (one in Europe and two in the Americas).

RB Leipzig have been one of the rising forces in German football in recent times ever since their formation in 2009. The club worked their way up the league structure and within a period of seven years, secured promotion to the Bundesliga in 2016. A season later, in 2017/18 the club ensured a place in the UEFA Champions League. The 2019/20 campaign again saw them create history, by reaching the semi-finals of the premier European competition

During this period of collaboration, coaches from RB Leipzig’s academy will be welcomed to Goan shores to impart knowledge via workshops. FC Goa will also be sending coaches and players from the club’s youth setup for further training and learning in Leipzig.

"We are very much looking forward to the partnership with FC Goa because this club is a perfect fit for us with its young, modern and innovative approach. We want to break new ground with RB Leipzig and take our first steps internationally," RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff stated.

"Our cooperation with FC Goa is the first step of a wider internationalization strategy. The up-and-coming and rapidly growing Indian market is perfectly suited to cooperation. The discussions with FC Goa were very open convincing, and purposeful from the beginning," he added.

"Additionally, such a partnership also offers the opportunity to represent the Bundesliga in India in the best possible way and to a certain extent, act as an ambassador," he further added.

FC Goa President & Co-Owner, Akshay Tandon, said, “I am delighted to have RB Leipzig as our partners. They have shown the world of football how to build from the ground up and that’s something we resonate with. It is our first international partnership and in RB Leipzig, we have the perfect partner.

“Partnerships such as these validate our long-term vision. Our goal is to develop Indian footballers for the world stage and this partnership helps us create a visible pathway for all young, aspiring footballers in India. We have a long way to go, but these steps help build a strong foundation for the future. This is a partnership that gives me even more belief in the direction we are headed. “

The Gaurs and The Red Bulls will work in tandem not only to help each other to grow internationally, but also for the development of football in India. The partnership will see both clubs launch a nationwide Soccer Camp program. The FC Goa National Soccer Camps, both online and offline, supported by RB Leipzig will make superior footballing skills and knowledge accessible to all football enthusiasts across India.

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