UD Las Palmas, a storied LALIGA club, and San Antonio FC, a rising star in the USL Championship, have announced a partnership to foster mutual growth and development.
The collaboration will encompass player exchange, coaching collaboration, and cultural exchange between the two clubs.
A key component of this partnership is the establishment of a player development pathway. This initiative will facilitate the transfer of promising young talent between the two clubs, providing invaluable opportunities for players to gain experience in different footballing environments. Additionally, the coaching staff will engage in knowledge sharing and best practices to enhance their respective programs.
Commenting on the partnership, Bobby Perez, SS&E Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, said, “We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Las Palmas and look forward to our future projects on and off the field.”
UD Las Palmas General Manager, Patricio Viñayo, added, “For UD Las Palmas, this is a great step towards the internationalization of the club and a nod to the city, without losing sight of our strategic plan, which is to bring fans closer to the history of the Canaries. With San Antonio FC, we are joining forces with a club that shares our essence.”
To commemorate this partnership, a friendly match between UD Las Palmas and San Antonio FC is scheduled at Toyota Field next year. This historic encounter will mark the first time a LALIGA team has graced the pitch of the 8,000-capacity stadium.
Beyond football, the partnership leverages the existing sister-city relationship between San Antonio and Las Palmas. Established in 1999, this connection provides a solid foundation for cultural exchange and cooperation between the two cities.
Both clubs are optimistic about the positive impact this partnership will have on players, staff, and fans. As the collaboration unfolds, it is expected to contribute significantly to the development of football in Spain and the United States.
Hailing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, UD Las Palmas are renowned for its passionate fanbase and attacking style of play. The club has enjoyed notable success in the Primera División and plays its home matches at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.
Based in San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio FC compete in the USL Championship. Despite being a relatively young franchise, the club has quickly risen to prominence, culminating in a USL Championship title in 2022.