Bayern open 4th football school in China

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Tuesday opened their fourth football school in China in the city of Taicang, together with local officials, reported dpa.

In a statement, Bayern spoke of the start of a "long-term partnership" which includes "a regular exchange of experiences between Munich and Taicang as well as a permanent presence of FC Bayern youth coaches to support local football in Taicang."

The German top side also have football schools in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Shenzhen and Taiyuan. The latest school in Taicang is close to Shanghai where Bayern have an office.

"Chinese football has enormous potential, which we also want to promote with this football school," Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said.

"FC Bayern has been supporting youth development in China for several years, which led among other things to the signing of goalkeeper Liu Shaoziyang. We now want to continue on this path with the football school in Taicang and help to discover and develop new talents."

Bayern board member for marketing Andreas Jung said the new partnership "should boost development in the region as a whole and also make the FC Bayern brand even better known throughout China."