Evergrande Football School in Qingyuan, China has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the Largest residential football academy after it was confirmed that an incredible 2,577 students are now enrolled at the sports institute.

The school hosted a widely attended event at the academy in Guangdong province on Tuesday to announce their prestigious new record title as well as highlighting the recent success of the Evergrande football team and the burgeoning Chinese football industry.

The event was attended by Mr Rowan Simons, the President of Guinness World Records Greater China, who commended the school’s state-of-the-art facilities and teaching curriculum – the school is based on the principle that combining a balance of education and training creates talented world-class football players.

Confirming that a new record had been set, Simons said, "It is our honour to verify this amazing achievement which showcases in spectacular style China’s commitment to a new model of junior football development in which a rounded education for all students is rightly seen as the main priority”.

In addition to its mass of students, the academy also has top-level facilities which include 47 football pitches of various sizes, with a vast total area of over 359,000 m².

The complex includes teaching buildings, laboratory buildings, a library, a gymnasium, an auditorium and a physical training centre, as well as dormitories, and canteens for the students.

Speaking of their record achievement Mr Liu Jiangnan, the executive principle of Evergrande football academy said he hoped that breaking the world record would give the Evergrande football team the motivation to continue working and training to their best ability.

“Thanks to Guinness World Records, I hope all the students who study in Evergrande football school will study hard and train hard, in order to gain an excellent future and make more contribution to the Chinese football Industry", he explained.