PETALING JAYA: Spanish football club Villarreal will be launching their own academy in Kuala Lumpur in August, giving young and budding footballers the opportunity to even train in Spain in the future.
The Villarreal Malaysia Academy will be open to youngsters from the age of three to 21. It will have 20 coaching staff this year with the capacity to train more than 400 players.
In a statement, Villarreal said they had plans to expand their reach later on by opening academies throughout Malaysia.
Young Malaysians will get to train under the methodology of the European football club, which won the UEFA Europa League in the 2020–21 season, and could also visit Spain to train with or play friendlies against other academy teams.
“We aim to establish Villarreal Malaysia Academy as the best football development programme in Malaysia,” said Massimo Giannelli, CEO of Villarreal Malaysia Academy.
“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.”
The academy’s managing director, Jonathan Abishegam, said their programme was “for the masses”, with opportunities to be granted to both girls and boys.
“Whether it’s for the player looking for a fun recreational programme playing with friends or the young aspiring talent who dreams of playing football in Europe, these opportunities will be made available here at Villarreal Malaysia Academy,” he said.
Villarreal have academies in the US, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Israel, Australia and South Korea.
