City Football Group sets up partnership with Bolivian outfit Club Bolivar

Bolivar, based in the capital La Paz, have won 29 domestic top-flight titles

Club Bolivar's Marcos Riquelme celebrates with teammates after scoring against Lanus during the Copa Sudamericana match in Argentina on December 2, 2020. AFP

Manchester City's umbrella ownership organisation, City Football Group, has set up a partnership with Bolivian outfit Club Bolivar.

The agreement will enable Bolivia's most successful club to tap into the City Football Group's (CFG's) expertise including in the areas of scouting and coaching.

While the move is not an acquisition for CFG – whose network encompasses 10 teams,  including Major League Soccer side New York City, Spanish outfit Girona, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and Sichuan Jiuniu in China – it marks a deal to share strategic advice.

"We are very pleased to grow our global presence through this important collaboration with Club Bolivar, City Football Group's first partner club," said CFG chief executive Ferran Soriano.

"This long-term agreement is the first of its kind and will enable Club Bolivar to draw down on and utilise the wide range of football industry expertise developed by City Football Group.

"As well as supporting Club Bolivar's ambitions, we have an opportunity to learn. Our work in Bolivia will certainly strengthen our knowledge of, and network in, South American football."

Bolivar, based in the Bolivian capital La Paz, have won 29 domestic top-flight titles – more than any other side in the country.

Marcelo Claure, President of Bolivar, said: "Today, a dream becomes reality. Club Bolivar joins the City Football Group family as a Partner Club, consolidating a long-term project developing world-class football, corporate and infrastructure standards that will enable Club Bolivar to become even bigger.

"We will utilize the expertise and advice that CFG brings to continue in our goal to place Bolivar as a top club in Latin America."