Barcelona have announced partnerships with several healthcare and academic organisations in Barcelona to further education and research in sports medicine, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The La Liga leaders have agreed deals with the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, and the University of Barcelona.

The organisations will work with the club's education and research arm, the Barcelona Innovation Hub, to promote initiatives relating to education, training and research in medicine, exercise and sports.

The partnerships aim to create a dedicated sports medicine unit that will be run by the two hospitals, at which medical residents will receive specialised training in the field.

In addition, undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be taught in sports medicine at the University of Barcelona.