Arsenal link with Celta Vigo

Arsenal have concluded a new "technical partnership" with Spanish club Celta Vigo as they seek to extend their worldwide connections.

The Gunners already have close links with Belgian club Beveren, as well as the Ivory Coast academy which has provided players such as Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue.

Now they have also signed a deal with Primera Liga side Celta Vigo, which will initially run for three years but could be extended.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger explained: “In simple terms, it is a technical partnership. That means there is an exchange of coaches and scouting.

“It could also happen that some of their young players spend a little time with us and some of our young players spend a little time with them.”

Several Arsenal youngsters, including Steven Sidwell, Graham Stack, Igors Stepanovs and Liam Chilvers, have been loaned to Beveren in the past few years, while Ya-ya Toure, Marco Ne and Eboue have come on trial in the other direction.

Wenger told the club’s website, www.arsenal.com: “We try to develop our connections all over the world. We see the future of the game as an international one therefore you cannot neglect anything.

“There is a different way of seeing the game in Spain than there is in England, so both clubs can benefit from it.

“Initially we have timed it [in conjunction] with the length of my contract. That makes it comfortable for them. They know me and they know the way I want to develop it. After that we will see how it goes.”