Ligue 1: FC Metz join with River Plate (ARG) as part of their development project

FC Metz (French Ligue 2 champion in 2013-14 and thus promoted to Ligue 1 for 2015) are creating a partnership with River Plate (Argentina champion in 2013-14) as part of FC Metz' development project, the team announced on 11/06/2014. Through this partnership, FC Metz may loan one or two of their 93 professional players.

"River Plate's approach and philosophy, in training and in the game, are very similar to ours at Metz, both in our professional team and our youth training centre. (...) Through this partnership, we can obtain very good players, who are well-trained and often of incomparable talent. River Plate will allow their young players to grow in Europe and to play in a high-level championship," said Philippe Gaillot, deputy general manager of FC Metz.

This partnership is part of River Plate's process of opening up connections with Europe, instigated by the new leaders and Marcelo Gallardo, the new manager of the Argentine club since 07/06/2014. "With the new leaders we decided to open our doors. Relationships have been good from the start with Metz leaders and that allows us…