Nike Academy
| Full name | Nike Academy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Academy | ||
| Founded | 2009 | ||
| Ground |
St George's Park Burton upon Trent, England | ||
| Capacity | 3,100[1] | ||
| League | Friendlies | ||
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The Nike Football Academy is an English football academy funded and administered by Nike, Inc.. The academy has a revolving squad of unsigned under-20 players and is run with the intention of helping them find a professional club. The academy is currently based at St George's Park National Football Centre.[2] The squad is made up of players scouted worldwide and drafted to the squad through Nike Most Wanted trials. Over 50 players have gone on to play professional football over the years. The programme is led by Manager Jon Goodman, with former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Matt Murray working as Assistant Manager.
The programme is also known for its collaborations with world class professional players, most notably Sami Khedira, Joe Hart, Rio Ferdinand, Francesco Totti, Mario Gotze and others.
Players such as David Accam, Tom Rogic, Majeed Waris, Petar Golubovic and Sergio Galeano are graduates of the programme.
The Academy regularly play teams like FC Barcelona, AS Roma, Inter Milan, Manchester United and others.
List of The Chance winners
2010–11
| Pos. | Name | Current club[3] |
|---|---|---|
| GK |  Reyaad Pieterse |
2011–12
| No. | Pos. | Name[4][5] | Current club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 | MF | .svg.png){kind=small} Ismail H'Maidat |
Brescia Calcio |
| 07 | MF | Dario van den Buijs |
Fc Eindhoven |
| 08 | MF |  Wallace Camilo |
Duque de Caxias Futebol Clube |
| 27 | FW |  David Fernandes |
CS Sedan Ardennes |
| 32 | DF |  Dimitris Komnos |
AE Kifisias[6] |
| 39 | DF |  Marco Di Lauro |
 Nike Football Academy[7] |
| 41 | FW |  Ryosuke Kinoshita |
Unknown |
| 68 | MF |  Kirill Laptev |
 Husqvarna FF |
| 72 | DF |  Petar Golubović |
AC Pisa 1909 (Loan from A.S. Roma) |
| 76 | MF | Teboho Charlie Tsotetsi |
Unknown |
| 77 | MF | Melusi Zulu |
Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 78 | FW |  Saife Alami Bazza |
 FC Dunărea Călărași[8] |
| 79 | DF | Gonzalo Balbi |
 KR Reykjavik |
| 83 | FW | Bubakary Sonko |
Nyköpings BIS |
| 92 | MF | Jose Figura |
BI/Bolungarvík[8] |
| 100 | MF |  Brian Iloski |
Los Angeles Galaxy U20 Academy[9] |
After Jorge Grant signed for Nottingham Forest F.C., Jose Figuera, Kirill Laptev and Saife Alami Bazza were given a trial to replace him.[8]
Wallace Camilo, David Fernandes and Melusi Zulu ended up not going with the team on the Nike "The Chance" tour. To replace them the following three contestants were brought in:[7]
| No. | Pos. | Name | Current club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | MF |  Kevin Salazar Chiquiza |
Nike Football Academy[7] |
| 24 | MF |  Joel Bravo |
Unknown |
| 61 | DF |  Fernando Canales |
Unknown |
Squads
2011–12
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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2012–13
- As of 6 November 2012.[10]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Karlton Watson signed a professional contract for the premier league side, Leicester City FC on the 22nd of November 2012.[11] Cameron Edwards also signed professional terms with the Australian team Melbourne Heart on the 21st of December 2012.[12]
2014–15
- As of 8 September 2014.[13]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Current technical staff
| Name | Role[14] |
|---|---|
| Jon Goodman | Head coach |
| Matt Murray | Assistant coach |
| Josh Dixon | S&C coach |
References
- ↑ "Stadium launch: Loughborough University FC v Tottenham Hotspur U18s". Loughborough Football on Facebook. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/mar/20/barcelona-nike-fc-football-future
- ↑ "Nike Football: The Chance: Undiscovered". Nike, Inc. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ↑ "The Nike Academy - Meet the Team". Nike Football on Facebook. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ↑ "Winners of The Chance 2012 Announced in Barcelona". Nike, Inc. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ↑ "Greece - D. Komnos". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Nike Football's The Chance announces its three winners". Nike Football. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- 1 2 3 "The Nike Academy on Facebook". Nike Football on Facebook. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ↑ "Pro Prospects: Iloski enjoys his chance". Top Drawer Soccer. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "The Nike Academy - Meet the Team". The Nike Academy on Soccer. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ [{https://www.facebook.com/NikeAcademy/?fref=photo} | accessdate=30 December 2015]
- ↑ [{https://www.facebook.com/NikeAcademy/?fref=photo} | accessdate= 30 December 2015]
- ↑ "Nike Academy 2014-15". The Nike Academy on Facebook. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ↑ NikeAcademy.com
External links
 Official logo |
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