Spurs announce San Jose deal

Premier League outfit agree MLS partnership

Last updated: 9th October 2008

Spurs announce San Jose deal

White Hart Lane: MLS partnership

Related links

Teams

Also see

Tottenham have agreed a 'football and commercial development' partnership with Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes.

The White Hart Lane outfit are understood to be keen to boost their status in America and will use the deal to improve their marketing.

Earthquakes will benefit from the training and coaching models of Tottenham, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League.

A Spurs statement read: "The agreement will focus on football and commercial development that will see the implementation of a best practice exchange programme, with the objective of creating a lasting bond between the two clubs."

Key

MLS contract rules, with players franchised from the league, means Spurs could not use the Earthquakes as a feeder club, although they could still loan players to them as they would to other teams.

The partnership raises the possibility of a pre-season tour to America, which Chelsea have previously done as they look to expand their brand.

"This agreement with San Jose Earthquakes will provide us with an excellent opportunity to access a key region in a global market,'' said Spurs executive director Paul Barber.

"As a club we are continually looking for innovative ways to evolve and our partnership with the Earthquakes will enable us to market Tottenham to a wider audience.

"We already have a fan base within the state of California and the opportunity to grow the brand in the US is very appealing."