China's Linzi Football Museum reached a partnership with UK's National Football Musesum in Manchester on last Friday when Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to the city and called for more sports exchanges and cooperation, including soccer, between China and UK.

Under the agreement, the two museums are set to work together on joint projects to promote soccer culture worldwide, including item exchanges and exhibition alongside other academic research projects and friendly exchanges, Xinhua reported.

Kevin Moore, head of the National Football Museum, commented "We are delighted to be working more closely with the Linzi Football Museum. We have always acknowledged that China was the birthplace of football and we very much look forward to sharing our knowledge to benefit both organizations and their respective audiences".

The National Football Museum, founded in 2001, has just inducted former Manchester City player Sun Jihai into its hall of fame.

China's Linzi Football Museum is based in Linzi District, Zibo, which is recognized as the birthplace of ancient soccer, which is also known as Cuju, by FIFA in 2004.

Source: Xinhua