Everton have agreed a development partnership with the Illinois Youth Soccer's Olympic programme.

The deal will see Illinois benefit from Everton's online soccer programme and also see coaches and players work with the Premiership club's academy setup.

Illinois Youth Soccer's Director of Coaching, Ian Mulliner, told evertonfc.com: "Everton are a proven success when it comes to training top youth players and the Everton Way will give our coaches a set of guidelines from which to work and set up training sessions."

Everton Academy coach, Tosh Farrell said: "This is an exciting time. We've already developed several partnerships with clubs across the USA, now Illinois's largest sports organisation is also following the Everton Way philosophy.

"Everton remain dedicated to player development and this tool opens the doors of the Academy to everyone who wants to improve, be it sporting organisations, clubs or individuals."