Persija Partners with SPF Elite FA, Plans to Send Young Players to Spain

Persija Jakarta has officially formed a partnership with SPF Elite Football Academy in Valencia, Spain, to provide their young players with international training and development opportunities. The collaboration was announced by Persija’s Academy Director, Ricky Nelson, at an event in Nirwana Park, Depok, on Wednesday, February 12, 2024. Representatives from SPF Elite Football Academy, including Ruben Estelles, as well as Persija player Syahrian Abimanyu, were also present.

Through this partnership, Persija plans to send its young talents to train and participate in tournaments with SPF Elite Football Academy starting in 2025. The goal is to offer the club’s youth players the chance to experience international football training, particularly in Spain, and open pathways for them to eventually play professionally both locally and globally.

Ricky Nelson explained that the collaboration aims to give players exposure to top-tier football environments, helping them gain valuable international experience. The program will focus on sending players to Spain to train at the academy and gain knowledge that they can bring back to Persija or possibly continue their careers in Spain.

Players from Persija’s U-16, U-18, and those currently loaned out to Liga 2 teams will be selected to participate in this program. Selected players will have the opportunity to take part in prestigious tournaments like the MIC Cup, which features teams from top European clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, PSG, and Arsenal. Additionally, Persija will offer a summer camp in Spain for players as young as U-10, where they can further develop their skills under SPF’s guidance.

Ruben Estelles, representing SPF Elite Football Academy, mentioned that the academy has partnered with several clubs in Spain but has chosen Persija as their exclusive partner in Indonesia. He highlighted that their program combines intensive training with educational support, allowing players to continue their studies while pursuing football development.

Syahrian Abimanyu, who has previously trained in Spain with SPF Elite, shared his own experience, noting that it was a valuable opportunity that helped him grow both as a player and as an individual.