Barcelona have reached a cooperation agreement with Brazilian club Sfera FC, aiming to use the partnership to identify and develop young Brazilian players for the club.
Core terms of the cooperation agreement
GOAL, citing a single origin, reported that Barcelona have struck a cooperation agreement in recent days with Brazilian club Sfera FC, aiming to lure in up-and-coming players and snap up the best prospects in Brazilian football. According to Marca, Barcelona and the Sao Paulo-based club have reached a five-year deal centred on the development and training of players.
Barcelona's priority in player selection
Marca reported that the agreement gives Barcelona priority to sign any Sfera FC player their coaches deem suited to Barcelona's philosophy and footballing identity, and capable of thriving at the Spotify Camp Nou and on European pitches. Under the same report, players selected through the agreement will move to the La Masia academy to train and undergo evaluation by Barcelona's coaches.
Sfera FC's share in player rights
Marca added that Sfera FC will keep a share of the players' rights, plus a percentage of any future transfers involving them.
Roles of Deco and Bojan Krkic
GOAL, from a single origin, stated that Deco pushed the deal over the line, along with Bojan Krkic. GOAL also reported that Barcelona's sporting director visited Sfera FC's facilities a few months ago and got a close look at the club's working methods and training methodology. Deco said: "Brazil is one of the leading countries for exporting players to various parts of the world, and for that reason we strongly believe in the benefits of having a partner that enhances the process of discovering young Brazilian talents for Barcelona. In Sfera we found a modern system for discovering and developing athletes, which led us to establish this partnership that now allows us to improve the process of attracting talent and exchanging expertise".
