Singapore Premier League club Geylang International FC have recently signed a collaboration agreement with City Football Group, owner of English Premier League Champions Manchester City FC.
The deal is set to extend the development of the Singapore-based club, laying the foundations for further strategic and comprehensive partnerships in the future.
It marks the first ever collaboration of City Football Group with a club in southeast Asia. It is set to provide Geylang International with the company’s world class football knowledge, global network, technology, expertise and practices – in turn improving the structure, operations, development and strategies of the Singaporean club.
Geylang International, once Geylang United before reverting back to their original name in 2013, have several trophies under their belt, having won six back-to-back titles in the National Football League between 1975 and 1977, and then another six in the Premier League from 1988 to 1993. Famous players who have represented the club include former Iranian internationals Hamid Estili and Mohammad Khakpour, and Singapore Golden Boy Fandi Ahmad.
Established in 2013, City Football Group have grown to become a renowned company, owning major football-related business in cities across the globe, including clubs, academies, technical support systems and marketing companies. Aside from the household name Manchester City FC, City Football Group are also the owners or partial owners of 11 other clubs, including Melbourne FC in Australia, New York City FC in the USA and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan.
Already the partnership has seen tangible benefits for Geylang International, as the club announced the signing of Japanese attacker Yushi Yamaya, with the forward set to play a key part in the upcoming 2023 Singapore Premier League season. A former academy player for Yokohama F. Marinos, City Football Group scouted the player through their Group Football Operations department, as well as providing detailed briefs and background to Geylang International’s Coaching Staff during the signing process.
Among the other opportunities and plans for development that are set to take place following the agreement, City Football Group will assist the club in improving its network and connections with players, clubs and academies across the many countries and cities the company are well-established in.