Friday 6 May 2016 18:52, UK
Stoke City have announced a 'strategic partnership' with MLS franchise Orlando City.
The two clubs already had a close relationship and Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes hopes both will benefit from making it more official.
The agreement, according to Stoke's official website, will "see the Potters and Orlando share best practice and business expertise, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets."
Scholes said: "It's an opportunity for us to share best practice with Orlando in a variety of areas, primarily in player recruitment, marketing and development, but also to give both clubs chance to grow in each other's markets.
"A large number of our fans already regard Orlando as their MLS side and I know that Stoke City are already followed by many Orlando fans.
"As an established Premier League club we are always looking at new ways to develop our profile overseas and our strategic partnership will help us to develop in the United States."
Orlando City founder Phil Rawlins added: "It was very clear that we've always had a good relationship with Stoke City and it came down to us wanting to reignite that synergy and bring our brands closer together.
"This will be our only partnership in England, and we hope to ignite passions for both our clubs in each other's markets."
