Sunderland AFC is one of an initial group of 12 clubs in England that has been awarded its Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) Academy Category.
The Premier League club confirmed that it has been awarded the highest classification of Category One status.
The EPPP is a long-term strategy designed to take Premier League Youth Development to the next level.
The biggest shake-up in youth football in over a decade has seen full consultation between the English Premier League and its clubs, representatives of the Football League, the FA and other key stakeholders on the best way to advance youth development.
EPPP has six fundamental principles, including increasing the number of home-grown players gaining professional contracts in the clubs and playing first-team football at the highest level.
Academies were independently audited and given a category status of 1 to 4, with 1 being the most elite.
The benefits of this newly-acquired status will also be felt in Malta thanks to the Justin Haber Academy.
The Justin Haber Academy will be run in collaboration with Sunderland AFC who have entered into an exclusive agreement with the academy.
The academy, the brainchild of the Malta and Mosta FC goalkeeper Haber, will be a football academy for boys and girls between six and 17 years, and will start operating next month.
It will be run by professional coaches and will enrol a sports psychologist, fitness coaches, a sports scientist and other professionals to make sure that a holistic approach is taken.
Although a small country, passion for football in Malta is very strong and talent and potential abound.
However, local youngsters sometimes find it difficult to make it abroad and the academy wants to address this problem.
The Justin Haber Academy believes that if this gap is bridged, more players will have the chance to make it abroad.
This will be greatly enhanced thanks to the agreement with Sunderland AFC.
SAFC’s Academy Manager Ged McNamee said: “The awarding of Category One status is testament to the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved at Sunderland AFC.
“This cements our reputation for youth development and will hopefully enhance our ability to attract the best calibre of young players to the club.”