Derby County's head of scouting, Bill Green, can see big benefits from their formal link-up with FC Utrecht.

"It is something we are certainly excited about and I know the people at Utrecht are as well," he said.

"There are other issues along the line we are looking at in terms of commercial activities as well, anything that either clubs thinks the other club can help them with."

Green forged strong links with Utrecht while he worked under Paul Jewell at Wigan and the idea to create a link between the two clubs has blossomed since he followed Jewell to Derby.