The Chinese and Croatian football authorities have signed a partnership agreement concerning future cooperation between the two federations, which includes the training of players and coaches, friendly matches and tours.

After the meeting in Zagreb, Croatia's northwestern capital, officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said they were impressed by the performance of the Croatian national team at this summer's FIFA World Cup, in which the Balkan country were beaten by France in the final. This led them to decide they wanted to work with the Croatians on the development of football in both countries.

Du Zhaocai, secretary of the CFA's Communist Party of China Committee, said they are planning to set up three or four youth academies in Europe as part of the Belt and Road initiative.

Croatian Football Federation (HNS) president Davor ?uker welcomed the Chinese delegation and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the visiting Chinese guests.

The signed Memorandum of Cooperation sets the basic guidelines for future co-operation between the two federations, including the exchange of coaches and players, mutual friendly matches and tours by various national selections as well as a whole series of other activities.

China's first youth academy in Europe was established at SK Slavia Praha in the Czech capital of Prague last year.

Croatia, along with Chile and Iceland, also participated in the first China Cup International Football Championship, which took place in Nanning during January 2017.

Agencies