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Diane Scavuzzo
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FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy Announce Unequaled Opportunity For America’s Talented Players To Train In Germany
Launching in fall 2021, youth soccer players in America will have the chance to live, train and compete in Germany at FC Schalke 04, one of the Bundesliga’s most successful youth soccer academies.
A nationwide search launches with virtual and national tryouts to identify the most talented youth soccer players born in 2003 & 2004 who want to compete live in Germany and train as well as compete at the highest level against other Bundesliga academy teams.
Americans always strive to be at the top of their game and many sports fans agree that Germany is one of the leading countries in soccer. Many kids dream of playing professional soccer in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top league, but reaching this goal has always been tough, regardless of natural talent or training. To create a solid pathway for players aspiring to play abroad, International Soccer Academy has teamed up with Germany’s Bundesliga clubs to create real, authentic integrated academies for highly talented players.
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Launching in fall 2021, youth soccer players in America will have the chance to live, train and compete in Germany at FC Schalke 04, one of the Bundesliga's most successful youth soccer academies"]https://www.soccertoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/international-soccer-academy-fc-schalke-announcement-1024x1024.jpg[/IMG]
Today, International Soccer Academy and FC Schalke 04 have announced an unrivaled partnership and have launched a team for 2003/04 players that will be integrated into the youth academy of the Bundesliga club, opening the door for talented footballers from America to train in Germany at the legendary academy known as The Knappenschmiede.
Schalke’s goal is to use the International Soccer Academy’s program to strengthen its long-term efforts in the USA and to identify players from America.
As the second largest sports club in Germany, and the fifth largest in the world, seven times German Champions FC Schalke 04 has one of the most successful youth academies in Europe. Over 100 graduates of The Knappenschmiede have celebrated their debut in the Bundesliga including World Champions Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Hoewedes, Julian Draxler, and Mesut Ozil.
[IMG alt="FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy Launch Unequaled Opportunity For America's Talented Players
Launching in fall 2021, youth soccer players in America will have the chance to live, train and compete in Germany at FC Schalke 04, one of the Bundesliga's most successful youth soccer academies"]https://www.soccertoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/international-soccer-academy-fc-schalke-quote-knabel-1-1024x1024.jpg[/IMG]
This initiative with International Soccer Academy offers the only completely integrated player development program at Schalke for American youth soccer players.
“The player is who matters. Always,” said Peter Knäbel, Senior Director Knappenschmiede & Development who looks forward to watching the American players develop in Germany. “The cooperation with International Soccer Academy is a win-win-situation for both sides.”
Recognized for their appreciation of American talent, Matthew Hoppe is Schalke’s most recent addition to the first team roster.
“I only wish I was born in 2004 and could tryout for this integrated academy,” said International Soccer Academy co-founder Eddie Loewen, a former pro player himself. “It is with great pride that we announce this true sporting partnership with Schalke and offer this unbelievable chance to players in America who are born in 2004.”
“We are happy to be part of this project“,” said Mathias Schober, Head of Sports U8-U19. “We are excited to work with American players as we have had some great experiences in the past.”
For the first time ever, and for a full academic year, the top youth soccer players selected from the nationwide search will be able to join the residency program and live, learn and compete under the guidance of the Schalke Academy, led by Mario Grevelhörster, Program Director.
“We are very happy about this partnership,” said Grevelhörster. “We are very happy to support US talents taking the next important steps in their career.”
The Schalke Academy is for ambitious footballers who want to develop their potential in the wholistic Schalke philosophy. The players will be coached exclusively by Schalke coaches and will proudly wear the familiar blue and white kit, train on their fields and compete against other Bundesliga academy teams.
America’s interest in Germany’s player development methodology continues to skyrocket, and the integrated academy is especially timely as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schalke is one of the most popular teams in Europe with a passionate fan base that spans the world.
Based in the Ruhr area, about 25 miles from Dusseldorf, the club’s nickname “Die Knappen” stems from the old German word for miners since back in 1904, the club was shaped by coal miners from Gelsenkirchen.
Youth soccer players with big dreams of becoming a professional players or making an impact in college soccer have been sidelined for months — this is a chance to jump start performance by training in a program that has developed world champions.
Today Schalke has about 160,000 members, making it the second largest football club in Germany in terms of membership. Beside the victories the club scored within its 117 years of history, Schalke is world-renowned for its prestigious youth department, the “Knappenschmiede”.
This is International Soccer Academy’s second partnership with a Bundesliga club. In February, International Soccer Academy announced its partnership with Eintracht Frankfurt and the launch of their joint integrated residential academy in Germany.
Read: EINTRACHT FRANKFURT AND INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY’S UNPRECEDENTED PARTNERSHIP
With high level residential programs in Germany and Spain, International Soccer Academy has successfully arranged several trials with professional LA LIGA and Bundesliga clubs, with one player signing his first pro contract.
Read: 19-YEAR-OLD CREIGHTON BRAUN SIGNS PRO CONTRACT WITH EUROPEAN CLUB and A DAY IN THE LIFE: WHAT’S IT LIKE AS A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO TURNS PRO IN EUROPE?
The post FC SCHALKE 04 PARTNERS WITH INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY TO LAUNCH TEAM FOR 2004s appeared first on SoccerToday.
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