The Mission Hills Group has announced the signing of an outline agreement with FC Barcelona(FCB) to develop a large-scale FCB school and a Barça experience in the city of Haikou on Hainan island. The 10-year agreement, with the option of a 10-year extension, will now have to be ratified at an FCB Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

The scale and nature of this project is unique because it will be located in the complex where the future headquarters of the China Football Association (CFA) will be located, and on an island that has become one of the most important sporting and tourist hotspots in Asia.

The Mission Hills Group is a Chinese company with extensive experience in the management of sports facilities in China. Their Mission Hills Resort describes itself as “the ultimate destination for visitors seeking world-class sports, entertainment and wellness.”

A statement from Barca said, “The Barcelona club believes that this is a very important strategic agreement, which will promote the development of football in the Asian continent and will give great visibility to the Barcelona brand in this region.”

The Barcelona EGM will be held on Sunday 18 December. One of the items on the agenda will be the agreement with the Mission Hills Group. If the agreement is given the thumbs up, work on the joint development is projected to start next year.