Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Sporting Lisbon have clinched a deal with trendsetters Bloemfontein Celtic in a move that will see the Portuguese giants establishing a youth development structure in Mangaung.

Petros Augousti, Celtic's communications manager, said the officials from the Sporting academy who visited Bloemfontein yesterday were Carlos de Freitas, Miguel Telles and Pedro Santos.

The side's president and vice president are expected in Bloemfontein today and the contingent is expected to return home tomorrow.

Augousti said their relationship with Sporting will not only benefit Celtic's players, but also youngsters throughout the country.

The move will see youngsters from Phunya Selesele visiting the youth development of Sporting, and Portuguese players coming to Celtic.

"This relationship with Sporting will be good for the development of the sport in and around Bloemfontein," said Augousti yesterday.

He added: "It is not only us who have such a relationship with Sporting but Platinum Stars are also in."

Surprisingly, Putco Mafani, Stars' marketing and communications director, said he was not aware of the developments.

But Sowetan discovered yesterday that the same Sporting contingent that visited Bloemfontein yesterday was in Rustenburg earlier this week for the same reason.