Posted by Team, 4th February 2019
Global Image Sports Inc. is proud to announce a formal partnership with German club, FC Schalke 04.
Schalke is one of the most popular teams in Europe with a passionate fan base that spans the world. Based in the Ruhr area, the club’s nickname “Die Knappen” stems from the old German word for miners because in the early days many players were from the coal mines of Gelsenkirchen. Now the club has more than 156,000 members, making it the fourth largest sports club in the world in terms of membership. FC Schalke also regularly plays in top international soccer competition including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Schalke secured a spot in the current Champions League by clinching second place in the Bundesliga and are currently in the knockout rounds of the competition.
Schalke’s famous youth academy, known as “Knappenschmiede,” is widely regarded as one of the best developmental programs in the world, with graduates such as US National team star Weston McKennie as well as a plethora of stars across Europe. With youth development being a key focus for Schalke, the GIS partnership provides a targeted platform for scouting promising talent. The partnership will also include knowledge-sharing, youth clinics run by Schalke coaches, and opportunities for US players to travel to Germany to train with Schalke’s academy coaches.
Joe Davis, Senior Partnership Manager at GIS, and Simon Gubisch, International Marketing.
“Schalke has been on our radar for a long time, and we’re thrilled to partner with this legendary club,” said Joe Davis, Senior Partnership Development Manager at GIS. “With the trend of young Americans starting their careers in Germany, the rising popularity of the Bundesliga, and Schalke’s prestigious status in world football, we believe that Schalke is the perfect addition to our family of professional partners.”
“We’re looking forward to taking this step with GIS to expand our presence and scouting efforts in North America, ” said Alexander Jobst, Member of the Managing Board for FC Schalke 04. “We’re also excited about sharing our knowledge and bringing the power and tradition of Schalke to youth soccer clubs across the continent.”
Clubs interested in becoming an FC Schalke 04 Official Youth Soccer Development Partner, can contact Joe Davis at joseph@globalimagesports.com.
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