THE Northern Fury are on the verge of signing a partnership with English Premier League football club West Ham United.

While not yet finalised, the Townsville Bulletin understands the Fury will enter an agreement with the London club through their international academy, which runs in North America and Oceania.

It will give the Fury opportunities to have regional academies across North Queensland, from where the best players will be invited to a national live-in camp with coaches from the Hammers' youth academy.

From there, players are invited to train in London.

It's understood Fury coaches will have the chance to study a coaching diploma in England.

Players looking to further their careers in the UK could have the chance to trial with the English Premier League side, while the international academy can also help footballers find playing scholarships to US universities through its affiliation with Global Image Sports.

The Fury will also have the chance to take tour groups overseas.

It's understood the partnership has been worked on since the arrival of new coach and director of football Ian Ferguson, who has previously coached Perth Glory to an A-League grand final after a playing career in Scotland.

The West Ham Academy of Football is responsible for producing England internationals Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.

Australians Richard Garcia (Sydney FC) and Dylan Tombides (West Ham senior team) have also started in the youth system.

The Oceania arm of the academy has partnerships with southeast Queensland schools The Southport School, John Paul College and Padua College.

Last week, Melbourne Heart was bought by Manchester City while defending champions Central Coast Mariners have affiliations with Sheffield United. The Brisbane Roar have affiliations with Indonesian club Arema Indonesia and Belgian Second Division club C.S. Visé through their owners, the Bakrie Group.

The partnership won't have any ownership connections as the Fury prepare to launch a community ownership model.

Fury chairman Rabieh Krayem confirmed the club was in talks with the Hammers.

"The club's in negotiation in regards to building a partnership," he said.

"It's an exciting time. It's one of a number of partnerships in the next couple of months that we believe will further enhance the development of football in the region, not only in Townsville, but the whole of North Queensland."

George Cowie, a former West Ham player who represents both the international academy and Global Image Sports in Australia and New Zealand, said he had been encouraged by early talks and was hopeful of finalising an agreement in the next few days. The former Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea national team and Sunshine Coast Fire coach said it was a rare opportunity for junior footballers and coaches.

The Northern Fury play in the second-tier National Premier League and hope to return to the A-League by 2018.