Chelsea sign contract with AFC to develop game in China

English champions Chelsea signed a four-year contract with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday to develop football in China at grassroots level.

The London club's chief executive Peter Kenyon hailed it as "a big day in the history of Chelsea" after inking the deal he hopes will help their ambitions of becoming the world's most popular club.

Chelsea will join the AFC's Vision Asia project that aims to lift the standard of football in Asia, working solely within the China market.

"Chelsea's vision is, by 2014, to be internationally recognised as the number one club," Kenyon told reporters.

"And that cannot be achieved without serious participation in Asia."

The agreement will allow the 10 best young players from select Chinese cities to train at Chelsea's Cobham academy. In addition, the AFC Player of the Year has the option to train in London for one month. Chelsea will also send coaches and administrators to China to improve the domestic set-up.

AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam said the deal did not offer Chelsea any financial guarantees.

"I must stress that this is not a business contract but a development programme," Hammam said.

"Chelsea is the first overseas club to approach us with the philosophy of giving, and not taking."

Hammam said Chelsea's input would be of particular value when it comes to improving the structure of clubs and leagues in Asia. The AFC is aiming to launch a major club tournament similar to the UEFA Champions League in 2009, involving elite Asian countries.

Chelsea recently hosted the Chinese under-23 team at their Cobham training base but the trip was soured after the visiting coach reportedly criticised the facilities. He later denied the allegations.

The Chinese squad were also involved in a brawl during a friendly match against London club Queen's Park Rangers.