Premier League: Arsenal partners with the Chinese agency IRENA to develop football schools

Arsenal FC (Premier League) has partnered with the Chinese agency IRENA to develop football schools in China, the club announced on 27/11/2015.

The London club will open five "Arsenal Soccer Schools" in China in 2016, including one in Shanghai and one in Chongqing, the agency said. Each of these schools offer sessions led by staff trained by Arsenal. IRENA will use the media rights of the club, especially on social networks, to promote these private institutions in China. "We will open a number of Arsenal Soccer Schools around the country, with about 300 children in each of them," said Hong Gai, the CEO of IRENA, during the presentation of the multi-year agreement.

Arsenal generated £103.3m (€140.4m) in commercial revenue during the 2014-15 season, a 34% increase compared to 2013-14 share (£77.2m; €105.08m). The club made £78.6m (€106.9m) in sponsorship and advertising revenues in 2014-15, representing an increase of 33% from 2013-14 (£59.2m; €80.5m).

• Arsenal has two Chinese partners:
  • Dji Holdings (lottery and gaming). until the end of the 2017-18 season.
  • Huawei (IT and…