Arsenal have announced a new joint venture with Colorado Rapids of the MLS, which is their first foray into the US marketplace. They have similar arrangement with Beveren in Belgium and an academy in the Ivory Coast. The deal is with Kroenke Sports Enterprises who own the Colorado Rapids franchise.

The deal will help develop the Arsenal brand in America, it involves a centre of excellence in Colorado where the clubs will share best practice and the ‘Arsenal Cup’ and the Rapids players will come to London as part of their preseason before the MLS season commences in April.