China League One side Inner Mongolia Zhongyou FC has appointed former Real Madrid legend Luis Figo as their club’s Honorary President after striking a strategic partnership with Winning League on January 27.

The Portuguese will be responsible for the club’s foreign affairs under the agreement.

Figo, who hasset up a soccer academy with Winning League, said “Chinese soccer has entered a periodof rapid growth and it needs more teenagers to participate.”

“Compared to European countries, China is lacking at various levels in regard to youth soccer leagues, (so) a complete league system needs to be built soon.”

RenXuandong, an official at Inner Mongolia Zhongyou, said “Winning League, as a professional domestic service provider of soccer training, will take part in the club’s branding, marketing, transfer activity and international co-operation following the signing of thispartnership.”

Inner Mongolia Zhongyou FC is a professional soccer club based in northern China and is currently in China’s second tier soccer league. The club is soon to begin their preseason training in Portugal.

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by John Devlin.