Manchester United to help kick-start Saudi football

Strategic alliance designed to benefit Saudi footballers, supporters and young professionals looking to work in football

Manchester United's Paul Pogba pictured at Mecca. The club has entered a partnership to boost Saudi football. Courtesy Instagram / Paul Pogba

Manchester United have agreed a deal with the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia to help to develop football in the country.

United will lend business and sporting expertise to clubs and sporting organisations in SaudiArabia to boost the game's growth.

The partnership forms part of Saudi Vision 2030.

United's group managing director Richard Arnold told United's website: "The club has a long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia and has over five million passionate fans in the region.

"Our partnership with Saudi Telecom is the longest running of all our commercial partners.

___________

Read more:

Open goal in English football for Middle East investors

Manchester United, Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo: a masterclass on how Twitter can play a good game

___________

"Having the chance to help shape the football industry in the kingdom is a great honour and it is something where we believe we can make a big difference.

"I hope that this strategic alliance will benefit generations of Saudi footballers, supporters and young professionals looking to work in football well beyond Saudi Vision 2030."

Turki Al Shikh, chairman of the GSA, added: "This relationship is part of an exciting programme we are undertaking to transform sport in SaudiArabia."