Updated: Ħamrun Spartans sign collaborative agreement with Turkish side Antalyaspor

Ħamrun Spartans have signed a collaborative agreement with Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The newly-crowned champions had announced late last month that they were in talks with a major club in Europe and other international football entities on a possible collaboration agreement.

Earlier this week, a delegation from Ħamrun Spartans led by Victor Cassar, head of the International Relations Unit at the club along with club official Ian Debattista, flew to Turkey to hold talks with their counterparts, and the agreement was signed.

“Following the setting up of our International Relations Unit we can proudly announce the first Collaboration Agreement with Antalyaspor which plays in the Super League in Turkey,” the Spartans said in a statement.

“The collaboration agreement was signed by Victor Cassar who is the Club’s Head of International Relations.We are currently working on similar agreements with other two clubs in the UK and Italy.”

Earlier on Saturday, Antalyaspor announce the signing of the agreement.

 “As a result of the efforts of our Antalyaspor International Relations and Strategic Planning department, a cooperation agreement has been signed between Ħamrun Spartans FC, the last champions of the Malta League and Fraport TAV Antalyaspor,” the Turkish side said in a statement.

“Our President Sabri Gülel, Deputy Chairman Sezgin Özer, Managers of Ħamrun Spartans team and managers of our International Relations and Strategic Planning department attended the meeting held at our Atilla Vehbi Guest Facilities.

“During the meeting, the vision of both clubs, future planning and sporting success goals were reached and agreed on how to act on the common share.

“With the agreement, both teams will work jointly in the sports organizations, trainer and football player development programs and earn mutual gain. We hope the agreement will be good for both sides.”

Antalyaspor is a two-time Turkish league champions. The red-and-white-shirted side won the championship in 1982 and 1986 while they also reach the final of the Turkish Cup in 2000 and 2021.

This season the team are currently 12th in the Turkish Super League and are led by former Turkish international Nuri Sahin.