Manchester United Announces Partnership With Association Of Football Federations Of Azerbaijan

Manchester United has today announced a unique partnership with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) and Bakcell to help develop grassroots football in the country.

In a first for the club, the AFFA will become its only Official Football Federation and Football Development Partner. Club sponsor Bakcell will collaborate to promote and develop youth football in Azerbaijan.

The Manchester United Soccer School supported by AFFA and Bakcell will help Azerbaijani children learn to play the 'United Way' with Soccer Schools coaches specially trained to teach the philosophy that drives the twenty-time English champions.

Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: "This exciting initiative will link the club to a national football federation for the first time. Azerbaijan is a burgeoning football nation and is home to over a million Manchester United followers, so founding this relationship with the help of our friends at Bakcell is a fantastic development.

"Manchester United is synonymous for developing some of the best young talent, and through this new relationship we can help by lending this expertise to a whole new generation of footballers.”

AFFA President, Rovnag Abdullayev commented: "The commencement of the Manchester United Soccer School, with the support of Bakcell, in Baku is a pivotal event in the country’s footballing history.

"I hope the work to be done by Manchester United Soccer School in Azerbaijan will have a positive effect in a short time span, and children that study here will be able to contribute to the future of Azerbaijani football."

Bakcell CEO, Richard Shearer added: "The launch of the Manchester United Soccer School in Azerbaijan, the first in the whole region, is the result of attention paid to the development of children's football in our country.

"Taking into consideration the interest in football and serious potential of Azerbaijani children, Bakcell – being the people’s mobile operator, is proud to be implementing successful projects, aimed at developing children’s football, and showing that our company will continue to do important work in this direction."