By Gilbert Ekezie
A leading professional football club in Romania, Dacia Unirea Braila FC, has announced an exciting partnership with Nigeria’s Blue Ocean FC, led by its president, Otunba Olumide Adekunbi.
The groundbreaking collaboration aims at transforming football development and talent discovery and creating a bridge between the football-rich nations of Nigeria and Romania.
The partnership is centered on a shared vision of identifying, training, and nurturing young football talents from Nigeria and across Africa.
Blue Ocean FC will spearhead the scouting and initial development of promising players, ensuring they are equipped to transition to Dacia Unirea Braila FC for advanced professional training and exposure.
In a statement, the President of Dacia Unirea Braila FC, Vasile Popa, said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to enhancing our club’s player development strategy and embracing international collaborations. Nigeria is renowned for producing exceptional football talents, and through Blue Ocean FC, we look forward to welcoming a new wave of young, skilled players.”
Blue Ocean FC, under the leadership of Adekunbi, has a proven track record of identifying and developing some of the most promising football talents in Africa.
Speaking about the partnership, Adekunbi said: “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for African players to achieve their dreams of playing professional football in Europe. “Together with Dacia Unirea Braila FC, we aim to set a new benchmark for football development.”
He said as part of the partnership, Blue Ocean FC will scout and train young players from Nigeria and Africa, preparing them for professional football careers with the players transitioning to Dacia Unirea Braila FC for high-level coaching, training, and exposure to competitive European football.
According to Adekunbi, the partnership will also streamline the process of visas, contracts, and FIFA International Transfer Certificates to ensure a smooth transition for players, with exceptional players having opportunities to transfer to other European clubs, supported by Dacia Unirea Braila FC’s extensive network.
“This partnership is poised to strengthen football development, foster international collaboration, and provide a pathway for African talents to shine on the global stage.
“Together, Dacia Unirea Braila FC and Blue Ocean FC are committed to shaping the future of football and fostering a legacy of international cooperation,” he said.