Manchester City extend South American reach

Manchester City have stepped up their presence in South America by adding Uruguay's Atletico Torque to their burgeoning list of international feeder teams.

The Montevideo-based club becomes the fifth subsidiary of City Football Group, the holding company created to oversee a global network of linked clubs, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The acquisition marks City's intention to invest in Uruguayan football, not only in terms of infrastructure at the club, but also in coaching, executive leadership, youth academy and the senior playing squad," City said in a statement on Wednesday.

Founded in 2007, Atletico Torque play in Uruguay's second division, where they have finished in the top six in each of the past two seasons.

City said they were drawn to Atletico Torque by the the club's "on-field progress, together with recently developed training and playing facilities".

"The investment in CA Torque enables our organisation to build on existing connectivity in Uruguay and helps to expand the options for identifying and developing local and South American talent," City Football Group CEO Ferran Soriano said.

In addition, Manchester City said they signed a collaboration agreement with Venezuelan first division side Atletico Venezuela.

The partnership allows both parties to share scouting data and aims to provide coaching support to Atletico," the statement added.

Other international subsidiaries of the City Football Group -- apart from Manchester City -- are New York City, Melbourne City and Yokohama F. Marinos.

--IANS

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