FC Tokyo has entered into a strategic partnership with SL Benfica, a member of the Primeira Liga (Portuguese First Division), and we would like to announce this to you.
□ Purpose and Content of Partnership
We will establish a technical partnership with a top European team that is recognized as one of the best in Europe in terms of discovering and nurturing talented players. Through this partnership, we will promote the sharing of best practices, knowledge, resources, and personnel exchanges between the two clubs.
This partnership will add new perspectives and criteria to the talent discovery and development environment of FC Tokyo. In addition, we will create opportunities for talented players, including young players from the academy and the top team, to play in Portugal.
In addition, through the visits of consultants several times a year, we will share SL Benfica's expertise with the entire football department, aiming to expand opportunities for discovering and nurturing the next generation of talent, as well as promoting the overall development of the club's football, including strengthening and football business.
About SL Benfica
One of the three major clubs in Portugal, founded in 1904 and based in the capital city of Lisbon. It is a highly regarded big club in Europe.
【Results (Europe)】
UEFA Champions League (Cup) 2-time champion, 8-time runner-up
【Results (Domestic)】
38 League Titles and 26 Cup Titles, the most in Portugal
Ranked 9th in the IFFHS "Best Club of the 20th Century" ranking in 2009.
□Comment
Benfica
・Miguel Reis Global Expansion Coordinator
"FC Tokyo is a historic club with ambition, vision, and an excellent academy organization in the youth development. Despite the geographical distance, both clubs prioritize player development and talent development, and there are many common points in this partnership."
・David Gomez Technical Coordinator of Benfica's International Programs
"For SL Benfica, being able to collaborate with young athletes who possess highly valued abilities such as excellent technical level and strong motivation is a great opportunity. This challenge is truly great, and we hope to contribute greatly in making FC Tokyo the benchmark club for youth training in Japan."
FC Tokyo
・Shigeya Kawagishi, Representative Director and President
"We are very pleased to announce our partnership with SL Benfica in this way. As a top team in Europe with a reputation for developing players and scouting, this partnership will allow us to collaborate in our strengthening department and have personnel exchanges in our academy. Every J-League club is investing in their academy. Through this partnership, we believe we can provide high-quality career options for our academy players. This will be a great benefit for our current players and will greatly contribute to our club's future scouting and recruiting activities in the academy. Through the exchange of knowledge and collaboration in player development, we hope to continue to develop not only in the academy field, but also as a club as FC Tokyo."
・Mitsushiro OBARA GM
"Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the further development of our Academy, which has won the Best Development Club Award for the third time last season. At the same time, we will be able to share knowledge on team building, player squad composition, and information on the European market in our strengthening department. By gaining insights from them, who have achieved profit through player transfers while continuing to win titles, we ultimately aim to strengthen the football aspect and increase revenue for the entire club."
