Chelsea announce partnership with Hawaii academy

Chelsea has reached an agreement to form a partnership with Le Jardin Soccer Academy in Hawaii.

This becomes the fifth such partnership the club has in the U.S. and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon -- who will leave the club at the end of October -- feels it will help the game in the country.

"Chelsea's youth super club network supports grassroots soccer development in the U.S.," Kenyon said in a press release. "Our newest partnership with Le Jardin Soccer Academy extends that support to one of the elite clubs in Hawaii, providing training and support for young talent critical to the long-term development of the sport in America.

"Grassroots programming is a central element in Chelsea's commitment to develop soccer, combined with successful visits to America from our first team, such as this summer's preseason tour and win in the World Football Challenge."

It is the first time an Premier League side team has joined forces with an academy in Hawaii, and Le Jardin academy head master Adrian Allan feels it reflects well on their work.

"A main goal when we started the academy three years ago was to become the school of choice for students who want to earn soccer scholarships and be professional players," he said.

"This partnership propels us to achieving that goal. For a club like Chelsea to come in and partner with us shows the quality, professionalism and drive of our academy. This allows us to offer an even higher level of training to young players across the islands."

The other academies who have partnerships with Chelsea are Capital Area Soccer in North Carolina, LAFC Chelsea in Los Angeles, Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey and the Baltimore Bays.