The nursery at Luxol St Andrews will link up with a football academy in England, the Bradford-on-Avon based St Andrews, as part of a twinning initiative aimed at developing young footballers in both countries.

The English academy played three friendlies during their stay in Malta recently. They faced Hamrun, Birkirkara and Luxol St Andrews who are now planning to visit England next summer with a contingent of around 140 boys in a reciprocal tourney.

Paul Falzon, director at Luxol St Andrews, said other plans are in store for his organisation.

"Further links between the two St Andrews clubs are envisaged," he said.

"We are also looking to link with other academies in Barcelona and Texas, US, in the near future."

The English academy's director of football, Shawn Couling, was in Malta last week with his squad.

Couling and Mario Borg, director of football at St Andrews, were busy to select a joint squad who will visit Bulgaria in April to take part in a four-day tournament against sides from Italy, Germany, Turkey and possibly Japan.

"This is an ambitious project but one which we hope will be of great benefit to the players from both academies," Couling said. "It is a further extension of our wonderful relationship with the people of Malta... exciting times are ahead."

Couling said the Academy of St Andrews in Bradford-on-Avon would be delighted to host touring sides from Malta in future.

One may obtain more details by contacting Luxol officials at St Andrews.