Seoul: The Korea Football Association (KFA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Belgian Association, the Croatian Football Association and the German club Bayern Munich on team management and youth development systems. 



The KFA said its officials, including General Secretary Hong Myung-bo, visited the three countries last month and inked the deals to improve its youth system.

The KFA said it decided to study the youth systems of Belgium, currently the top-ranked team in FIFA rankings, and Croatia, the runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to make better plans for the country's young football players.

The KFA said its officials also looked at Bayern Munich's club management system and that it will help Korean athletes or coaches to train there in the future. This was the first time that the KFA signed a MOU with a professional football club.



The KFA said its deal with Belgium includes sharing information on youth football and coaching programs. The deal also allows the Korea Republic national football team to use facilities in Belgium when training in Europe.

With Croatia, the KFA said it exchanged information on training and tournament operations and discussed future friendly matches between youth teams.

The deal with Bayern Munich focuses on youth programs, the KFA added. Under it, the club will offer trial opportunities to Korea Republic youth players. The 28-time German Bundesliga champions currently have Jeong Woo-yeong on their youth team.

"Young players in Korea Republic have very good talent," Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the CEO of Bayern Munich, said through the KFA. "Jeong is a great example. Through this MOU, we want to support the KFA's youth system and make it a success."

Photo: FC BayernSource: the-afc.com