FC Bayern is expanding its international youth network with a project in San Diego that is intended to be more than just a short-term World Cup effect
The German record champions have opened a so-called „Residential Academy“ in San Diego County, USA, according to a report in BILD. The program works with the training philosophy and training methodology of the club from Säbener Strasse in the scouting and development of young players
The new location differs significantly from Munich’s previous international talent projects. While the „World Squad“ selection is reassembled annually and only completes a temporary camp abroad, followed by training sessions and a test match in Munich, the academy will run on a permanent basis. The permanent location is the elite training center „Chula Vista“, an official training facility for US participants in the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Long-term project instead of World Cup advertising
The opening will take place shortly before the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, which runs from June 11 to July 19. According to those responsible at Bayern, however, this is not just a measure to increase awareness and popularity in the USA, but a long-term talent promotion project
Lars Weichert, Head of International Youth Soccer, says: „San Diego offers an environment with a high talent density, strong infrastructure and great development potential. We will consistently implement FC Bayern’s training philosophy on site to support ambitious talents in their next steps – be it towards college sports, professional soccer or international prospects.“
The aim is not to bring every graduate to Munich. Rather, the ideal case would be for a talented player to transfer from the academy to FC Bayern. Internally, Maycon Cardozo is considered an example of such a development path. The 17-year-old native of Brazil was scouted in Thailand for the international talent selection „World Squad“ and subsequently accepted into the Munich youth academy
Cardozo worked his way up through the U17s and U19s to the regional league team. The 1.65-metre attacking player has also been training regularly with the professionals for more than six months and made his first two Bundesliga appearances in March. The academy in San Diego is now the first permanent development centre of its kind and is intended to open up similar development opportunities for other young players.
