West Ham are set to enter a partnership with Eerste Divisie side VVV-Venlo, according to Dutch media.
1limburg are claiming that the Hammers have approached VVV-Venlo about a possible affiliate agreement between the two clubs, similar to those held between Chelsea and Vitesse Arnhem, and Tottenham and Roda JC.
These reports were later confirmed by West Ham’s Head of Youth Development Terry Westley while speaking with Dutch media.
“We are looking for clubs in Europe that want to work with us in the broadest sense of the word. VVV is the only club from the Netherlands which we have approached.” Terry stated.
Venlo’s Head of Youth Development, Roger Bongaerts, has also spoken about a possible agreement, but insists in must be beneficial for both clubs.
“West Ham is an ambitious club that from next season in a new stadium is going to play as quickly as possible to storm the top six of England.
“It is a collaboration on all fronts. We have West Ham made it clear that both parties must benefit from it ” Bongaerts said.
Chelsea use their links with Vitesse to the extreme, with five players currently on loan at the club.
Having an affiliate in a foreign country can be great for player development – getting them the first-team football they need to grow as a player while the culture change can help them grow as a person too.
West Ham are no strangers to work-permit troubles either. The agreement with Venlo will allow them to sign players and send them out on loan to Holland in order to gain a work-permit faster if they were denied one to come to England.
This isn’t the only club partnership the Hammers are looking to sign off on this summer.
West Ham and Nigerian side FC Ifeanyi Ubah are said to be close to an agreement over a similar proposal to the one put forward to Venlo this week.
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