Everton officially announced that it will establish a strategic partnership with J League team Nagoya Whale.
This cooperation is based on a common relationship between the parties and The Friedkin Group, which owns both Everton and Rome Clubs. Since 2022, cooperation between Nagoya Whale and Rome has achieved remarkable results. The cooperation marks an important step in Everton's international development strategy and deepens the club's ties in Asia.
The cooperation will focus on player development, coaching training, social responsibility and innovation, covering football, community and business activities.
The two long-standing clubs will work together to cultivate emerging talents, organize youth training camps, and further provide youth players with training and exchange opportunities. The coaches and technical teams of both sides will also communicate regularly to share knowledge and experience in men's and women's football.
In addition to cooperation on the court, both parties will also explore creating greater social influence in the local community. Both clubs are committed to working with municipal agencies, sponsors and grassroots organizations to promote values such as inclusion and sustainability in Liverpool and Nagoya.
This agreement also provides a solid platform for future business cooperation, allowing Everton and Nagoya Whale to explore opportunities for joint ventures, branding and broadening sponsorship channels in Japan, the wider Asian markets, and in the European markets. Angus Kinneal, CEO of Everton, said: "It is a real honor for Everton to establish a special partnership with Nagoya Whale. This collaboration reflects Everton's ambition to establish meaningful, rewarding and long-term relationships with like-minded clubs. Nagoya Whale is a club with a strong community foundation and a clear commitment to the development of football, and we are excited about this collaboration. We look forward to learning from each other and bringing tangible benefits to both clubs and their respective communities." Founded in 1939, Nagoya Whale was originally a team of Toyota Motor Corporation and joined the J League in 1993 and named "Nagoya Whale". In 2009, Nagoya Whale made its debut in the AFC Champions League. Today, Nagoya Whale has become one of the most well-known clubs in Asia, and has won many domestic honors, including the 2010 J League championship.
Nagoya Whale Chairman Morita Yoshida said: "We are very pleased to have a strategic partnership with clubs like Everton, which has a long history and close community connection. Everton is not only active in football, but also actively participates in social activities, and their values are in line with Nagoya Whale. Through this collaboration, we will promote player growth and club development through data analysis systems, scout information exchange and various sustainable development initiatives."
Nagoya Whale has attracted many world-class stars in history, including former Everton and England striker Gary Lyinkel, who ended his career in the early 1990s. Wenger, who was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, also coached the Nagoya Whale from 1995 to 1996, leading the team to win the Emperor's Cup.
Nagoya Whale President Katsuhiro Shimizu added: "After his cooperation with Rome, it is a great honor to sign a strategic partnership with Everton. This is a valuable opportunity to absorb Everton's expertise and experience for Nagoya Whale, who is eager to compete globally and receive attention worldwide. We aim to enhance football strength, share resources and knowledge to enhance the club's value globally. Through the exchange of youth players and coaches, sharing of knowledge in business and marketing, and collaboration in the Japanese, Asian and European markets, we hope to create new value for the club and strive to be a club that is truly rooted in the community, just like Everton."