(MENAFN- Asia Times)
Borussia Dortmund have signed an "exclusive partnership" with Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng as the Bundesliga club attempt to expand their footprint in the Asian country.
Dortmund are making a big push to attract new fans in the world's most populous nation and sealed a cooperation agreement with Shandong, who are led by veteran German coach Felix Magath, a former Bayern Munich manager, on Wednesday.
The DailyBrief Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox
It will see Dortmund offer expertise in a number of ways, notably in the area of youth development. The German club is renowned for bringing through rising football stars.
Dortmund have played pre-season friendlies in China over the past two summers and the club's head of sales and marketing, Carsten Cramer, told the state news agency, Xinhua: "We are not only a club playing a friendly asking for some money, then rushing out of the country.
"Without a partnership with a club I am very sure that we can't reach the credibility in the population of China." Xinhua said the tie-up was for the next five years.
Dortmund, who won the German Cup last season, also recently opened an office in Shanghai. Shandong Luneng, based in the city of Jinan in eastern China, are riding high under Magath, currently occupying fourth place in the CSL.
Agence France-Presse
Comments
MENAFN2408201701590000ID1095765056
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.