.png)
Through the Villarreal Academy international project the Yellows open Villarreal Malaysia Academy
Villarreal CF, a top soccer club in Spain’s LaLiga and 2021 UEFA Europa League champions, has announced its first official partner academy in Malaysia that will go by the name of Villarreal Malaysia Academy. Based in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the academy will open its first centre in the Klang Valley and will focus on player development for players from three to 21 years old. In 2022, Villarreal Malaysia Academy expects to work with over 400 players boasting a team of over 20 coaches.
An official partner academy of Villarreal CF, Villarreal Malaysia Academy will offer unrivaled opportunities for soccer players in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas. The academy plans to expand its reach by opening centres all over the country. Players will not only have the chance to train under the methodology of a leading European soccer club, but will also have opportunities to visit Spain to train with or play friendly matches against Villarreal CF Academy teams.
Villarreal Malaysia Academy CEO, Massimo Giannelli, has a clear mission for the academy and is excited to work hand in hand with Villarreal CF. “We aim to establish Villarreal Malaysia Academy as the best football development programme in Malaysia. 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. I was looking to partner with a club that had a clear and evident strategy for youth development. I had previously held conversations with multiple European clubs, but once we spoke with Villarreal we realised we had found the right partner for our next stage of development.”
Jonathan Abishegam, managing director at Villarreal Malaysia Academy and Football Talent Asia, believes the academy will provide great opportunities for young soccer players all across Malaysia. “We want to bring Villarreal’s success in Spain and Europe to Malaysia. We believe that the methodology that we will adopt and the knowledge that we will learn from Villarreal combined with our amazing facilities and experienced coaching team will create an opportunity for our players to experience the highest standards available that will set them apart. This program is meant to be shared, it’s for the masses. We want to give an equal opportunity to boys and girls of all backgrounds as much as we can. Whether it’s for the player looking for a fun recreational program playing with their friends or the young aspiring talent who dreams of playing football in Europe, these opportunities will be made available here at Villarreal Malaysia Academy.”
In addition to the newly founded Villarreal Malaysia Academy, Villarreal CF already has a number of academies around the world through the club’s Villarreal Academy international expansion project. The Yellows are currently represented by partner academies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Israel, Australia, South Korea, and, now, Malaysia, among others.
Players at Villarreal Malaysia Academy who, throughout the season, consistently demonstrate top-level training, skills and behavior will have opportunities to be invited to Villarreal’s state-of-the-art training facilities in Spain, home to one of the best youth academies in the world. Participants will observe professional teams’ training sessions, meet professional players, practice with the club’s elite academy teams, be trained by Villarreal coaches and experience what it takes to become a professional soccer player first-hand.
The Villarreal CF men’s and women’s first teams both play in Spain’s top flights, LaLiga and Primera Iberdrola respectively. Villarreal’s youth academy is one of the top youth development programs in the world and is committed to identifying and developing talent worldwide. The Yellows’ academy teams are consistently ranked among the top programs in Spain and its youngsters regularly make appearances for Spain’s national teams at all ages. Villarreal, also known as the ‘Yellow Submarine’, will provide professional support for Villarreal Malaysia Academy at all levels of the game to help the academy’s players to reach their full potential as soccer players.
For more information about Villarreal Malaysia Academy visit their official website at: www.villarrealmalaysia.com
