November 16 – AC Milan has launched its first academy project in the US in partnership with Black&Red Pumas LLC. The academy will be based in Fairfax, Virginia, and the club said it will be the first steps of a number as it builds the club brand in the US.
AC Milan has been a slow starter in the international academy arena with local rivals Internazionale having established internationk academies in xxx countries.
The club pointed to a Nielsen study that found they had about 43 million fans in the US, making it making them most followed Italian club.
Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, affirmed: “AC Milan Academy Virginia is another piece in the consolidation process of the AC Milan brand on a global level. The launch of the AC Milan Academy project in the US territory attests to our commitment and our contribution to the promotion of football in North America, through which we aim to export the values of AC Milan worldwide.”
The academy will take in boys and girls from 5 to 17 years old in “an elite technical program that will support them in their sporting and personal growth”.
AC Milan will bring in their training methodology and experts will coordinate with and train local technical staff.
The project kicks off in December with a five-day Camp ahead of the official opening of the AC Milan Academy in the spring of 2024.
Dario Scatena, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black & Red Pumas LLC, said: “As an Italian and an AC Milan fan, I am very pleased with this collaboration that will bring the colours and values of AC Milan and Italian traditions to the American territory. I am very confident that the excellence and the AC Milan Method will bring great benefits, firstly for the young players in their personal growth, and then for American soccer. This is a family for me, and I look forward to both girls and boys feeling part of this great family and growing in every aspect with its values.”
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