Bayern Munich to open soccer school in Taiyuan, China

Bayern Munich is furthering its global expansion by opening another soccer school in China, which will be located in the province of Shanxi. Bayern currently has schools in Qingdao and Shenzhen. According to the club’s official press release,

FC Bayern today joined political representatives from the Chinese province of Shanxi at the Allianz Arena to announce the opening of the FC Bayern Football School Taiyuan. The partnership with Shanxi province in northern China and the agency China Sports Futurity covers an ongoing exchange of experiences, regular and intense visits by FC Bayern youth coaches, and the assistance and training of Chinese coaches and young players in Munich. Further activities by the German record champions are planned in the province of Shanxi.

Bayern executive board member for internationalization and strategy Jörg Wacker talked over the club’s strategy in the region:

We have a long-term and sustainable strategy in China in which the development of young talent plays a central role. With the new FC Bayern Football School Taiyuan we are opening another point of contact and extending our activities in the Chinese market. That means not just our training and youth philosophy but also the brand and values of FC Bayern will be transferred to Shanxi.

Rouven Kasper, managing director of FC Bayern in China, touched on the club’s commitment to identifying and developing talent in the region:

We are proud and looking forward to opening a third Football School in China in Taiyuan in addition to the existing FC Bayern Football Schools in Qingdao and Shenzhen. Chinese football has enormous potential, and we want to play our part in supporting and promoting development by means of our knowledge and our experience in the youth sector. We share that ambition with the province of Shanxi and we have found the right partner for a special football project.

With plans on expanding its global brand, Bayern is making strategic investments in targeted regions and perhaps will be setting up shop at a location near you!