La Liga North America has created a youth football platform titled La Liga Next to develop and recruit talent in the United States.
La Liga Next is set to offer opportunities to American football players between 14 and 18 years old, such as the chance to play for a La Liga youth club.
Talent Identification will take place across the country between June 21st and July 13th. Around 60 players from the trials will then be selected to travel to Madrid for a Spanish Showcase.
Over 10 days, the players will train and compete under the supervision of La Liga youth club technical directors. The best player from each age group will then be recruited to attend a training camp with a La Liga youth club.
“This project is part of La Liga North America’s action plan to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States, while continuing to provide all resources and opportunities to help American talent in its preparation for the 2026 World Cup,” La Liga said.
Launched in co-operation with global sports agency ISL, La Liga believes that the initiative will open the doors of European soccer to American players.
“La Liga Next aims to contribute to the development of young American talent, providing players an opportunity to showcase their talent, an experience that will step up their game, and ultimately, the chance to kick off their dream of becoming a professional soccer player and one day represent their country in the World Cup,” VP of Strategy & Business Development for La Liga North America, Nicolás García Hemme said.
“Our goal is to collaborate with local clubs to become their international recruitment arm and continue to add new locations every year in different American regions.”
La Liga Next will be the first recruitment process that is led by an international sports league for young footballers in the United States.
“The common trait of all these American players is that they have experience overseas,” ISL Co-founder, Marc Segarra said.
“For that reason, we strongly believe that having an established path such as La Liga Next will enable aspiring professional soccer players in the United States achieve their dreams.”
