Sevilla, have reached an agreement with the Nigerian Professional Football League, which will see the Spanish La Liga side provide “advice in sporting and other areas of development, with a special focus on coach training and developing the talent of young Nigerian players,” a partnership is in line with their ‘World Club Alliance Programme.
The Spanish club announced on Monday after the NPFL delegation led by the president, Gbenga Elegbeleye, had a meeting with the La Liga club president, José María del Nido Carrasco on the first steps in the alliance before visiting the club’s facilities at its iconic 42,000-capacity stadium – Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
“Sevilla FC continues its internationalisation process and has added a new member to our ‘World Club Alliance Program’ with the Nigerian Professional Football League,” the most successful Europa League club said.
The news comes a day after the La Laia outfit reached an agreement to sign Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer after his departure from newly-promoted Permier League side Leicester City.
Iheanacho, fondly called Senior Man, will become Sevilla’s second Nigerian signing after Chidera Ejuke, also on free transfer.
According to popular transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano, Sevilla are preparing documents that will see the former Leicester City man join the Spanish outfit “in the next days.”
Speaking on the collaboration with NPFL, Sevilla president Carrasco said, “We are very happy to be able to work with the Nigerian Professional League. Sevilla FC is convinced that this alliance can help NPFL clubs to continue improving and encourage the development of youth players. It is a new decisive step in our internationalisation process and will help our brand to continue to grow in Africa, in a country like Nigeria from which we are receiving a lot of support after the signing of Chidera Ejuke.”
Reacting, Elegbeleye said, “We have 20 clubs in the Nigerian Premier League and they all have their own youth academies. I know the history and track record of Sevilla FC. This is a very good club which has won trophies in Spain and Europe for many years. I feel that, with their development strategy and their youth development programme, Nigeria can benefit. We believe that the best players in the Nigeria Youth League will be able to come here every season to train. With your help and training, when they return, they can become better players. We also have a training agreement for our coaches that will be positive for us. It is a win-win arrangement for everyone in the NPFL.”
The NPFL boss was also keen to highlight the level of attention Sevilla is receiving in Nigeria following the signing of Ejuke. “When they signed Chidera Ejuke from Royal Antwerp, Nigerians showed a lot of interest in Sevilla FC. All the football lovers in Nigeria are happy. They want to know more about Sevilla now, the fan base in Nigeria is growing every day.”
