NEW YORK: USA’s Major League Soccer team New York City FC (NYCFC) has unveiled its new first-team training facility, Etihad City Football Academy in New York.
This is the third academy built across the globe by the club’s majority owners City Football Group (CFG). Marking the group’s first permanent training complex in the United States, the academy features leading medical and sports science facilities to drive elite performance.
The new Etihad City Football Academy in NY represents a further landmark of the club’s long-term and sustainable commitment to MLS and US soccer, an official release states.
It was also announced on the New York City FC website that Etihad Airways will be the club’s naming partner of the new training facility. Etihad Airways’ connection with football has also been with its sister clubs such as Premier League champions Manchester City and Melbourne City FC in the A-League.
Throughout the season, NYCFC will be hosting a series of fan events at the training facility.
Speaking about the unveiling of the newest Etihad City Football Academy, vice-chairman of NYCFC, Marty Edelman, said: “This is a proud and important milestone for our group and club. Not only is this facility evidence of our deep investment in global soccer, it also shows our club’s and owners’ long-term commitment to New York City and the Metropolitan Area.”
The facility shares design elements and functionality with the first two City Football Academies in Manchester and Melbourne and was also designed by the same NY-based architect, Rafael Viñoly.
Manchester City will train at the Etihad City Football Academy in New York during their pre-season summer tour in the US.
NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna discussed the new facility from a sporting perspective: “It’s incredible to have built a facility that will attract the best talent and provide our players and coaches with an inspiring setting to work and prepare.
“We wanted to create a family environment where everyone feels part of the team. We are proud to call the Etihad City Football Academy in NY our permanent home.”
New York City FC and the other City Football Group teams share the same values and take the same approach to local infrastructure projects. The project created 210 construction jobs, 60% of which are located within 30 miles of the facility. In addition, 35 contracts were awarded to local companies and NYCFC donated $250,000 to the town to put towards infrastructure.
NYCFC president Jon Patricof said, “This is an incredibly exciting moment for our club. Our hope is that this new facility will be a hub for soccer expertise and the soccer community in New York.”
“I would also like to thank Etihad Airways for the continued support. We are continuing to work together to constantly improve and innovate around the resources we provide players as well as the experience we bring our incredible fans and supporters of the Club.”
Vice president Marketing Partnerships at Etihad Airways, Patrick Pierce, said: “We are delighted to unveil the Etihad City Football Academy. This world-class facility will serve as a center for innovation and talent development, two areas of importance for both New York City FC and Etihad Airways. We look forward to supporting the academy’s contribution to Major League Soccer and the New York community for years to come.”
