Manchester City and Albania’s Ministry of Education and Sport today announced the opening of the Manchester City Football Academy in Durrës, Albania, which will launch in autumn 2024.
The new sports centre will use Manchester City’s training methodology to deliver world-class football education for its players.
With eight Football Academies that Manchester City operates around the world, this is the newest academy to open as part of the club’s ongoing initiative to expand its programmes for children and young people.
In addition to the Football Academy, the Ministry of Education and Sport will also launch an Elite Academy in autumn 2024, to provide a clear pathway for domestic footballers seeking to reach the highest levels of the game. The academy will be built and run with consultancy from City Football Group, Manchester City’s parent organization.
Jorgina Busquets, Director of Football in the Community Education, Recreation and Partner Clubs at City Football Group, said: "We are very pleased to announce today the opening of a new Manchester City football academy in Albania. This is our newest contribution to the ongoing expansion of the club’s educational programme, as we strive to share our methodology, experience, and expertise to develop young people around the world."
"We look forward to working with the Ministry in Albania to deliver a number of activities in the country, as we work towards opening the Academy in autumn 2024."
Albania’s Prime Minister, Mr. Edi Rama, said: "The opening of the Manchester City Football Academy in Durrës is a very important development for Albania’s continuously growing sports movement, at the end of an exciting year that saw our National Football Team top its Euro 2024 qualifying group in Germany."
"Furthermore, the launch of the Manchester City Football Academy in Albania is a new source of positive energy for our country, and so we want to thank Manchester City for working with us on this project. Thank you, Man City!"