MLS club New England Revolution have announced a strategic partnership with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
The Revs have confirmed that they have entered a multi-year partnership with the 18-time Primeira Liga champions which will give the American outfit a chance to sign Sporting players on loan.
The relationship will also allow both clubs to expand their scouting networks and share philosophies on youth development among other things.
Revolution president Brian Bilello, who was in Lisbon for Wednesday's announcement, said: "The guys from Sporting were really interested in partnering up and doing something to help them gain more of a foothold here in the United States, in our region in Massachusetts, but also around soccer in the United States and particularly around MLS.
"They know the quality of player that we have here and they were interested in having a strategic partner in this region. In return they offered up the ability for us to partner with them in Portugal and see some of their players."
Bilello added: "Their experience from more than 100 years of being a club, you can see some of the names that have come out of the Sporting academy - Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo. I could go on and on.
"They clearly have a great track record in that area and the ability to have our coaches spend some time with them - whether it's in the States or over in Portugal - I think will be invaluable to us."
.@NERevolution & @Sporting_CP enter multi-year strategic partnership: http://t.co/qvfP1tDu2lpic.twitter.com/ROG1Bx5BZ2
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2014
For breaking stories and all the great banter like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tribalfootball