Real Sociedad partners with Texas Football Academy to open its first club-linked academy in the United States

Real Sociedad have taken a further step in their international expansion by partnering with Texas Football Academy, a recently created training organisation based in Austin. The agreement marks the opening of the Basque club’s first football academy linked to the club on United States territory and strengthens its presence in North America, a priority market in the global football landscape.

The partnership is built around methodological support and the transfer of the training model developed at Zubieta. To ensure it is implemented in Austin, Real Sociedad will send a club coach there for the entire season. The coach will directly oversee the application of the methodology and help develop the technical skills of local young players.

Before the agreement was signed, Alisher Nazir, founder and president of Texas Football Academy, visited Zubieta to learn about the club’s operation, methodology and working style, according to Real Sociedad.

The partnership is initially scheduled to last one season. Real Sociedad have nevertheless said that both parties intend to build a lasting long-term relationship.

The move into the United States represents a step up from the club’s previous international partnerships. Until now, its collaborations outside the domestic framework had mainly been concentrated in south-western France, including agreements with Les Églantins, Croisés Bayonne and Genets d’Anglet. Real Sociedad also have a significant presence in Japan.

By arriving in Austin, the club are strengthening their brand in an important area for North American youth football and extending the identity of Zubieta on a global scale.