VfL Wolfsburg is delighted to announce a new partnership. From 16 November 2018, the Bundesliga club will be working closely with US club Orlando City. The Florida-based outfit have been in North America’s top division, Major League Soccer (MLS) since 2015. The franchise, led by Flavio Augusto da Silva and Phil Rawlins, also owns the Orlando Pride women’s team, who finished third last season. In future, the two clubs hope to share knowledge on men’s and women’s football, youth academies, infrastructure and Marketing and Sales.



Marcel Schäfer, sporting director for VfL Wolfsburg: “We have high hopes for this inaugural partnership with an MLS club. We intend to lend our expertise in all areas, but we can also learn a lot from how US clubs are structured. I was able to experience first-hand how professional and creative the Americans are during my time in the USA. We’re delighted to be working with Orlando City and Orlando Pride."



Having a top-quality women’s team isn’t the only similarity between the two clubs. Both are passionate about diversity and fighting discrimination, wearing the rainbow flag to show their support. “Values such as this are an important part of any partnership,” said Schäfer. “This is one of the key reasons we decided to work together with Orlando."



In the clubs strategy VfL Wolfsburg aims to build a strong network of strategic partners in the international core markets China, Mexico and the U.S. After the first partnership in the U.S. with Chattanooga FC VfL Wolfsburg is now proud to present Orlando City SC as the second partner club to build up a long-term partnership with different fields of interest. The city of Orlando is one of the most dynamic cities in the U.S. and the club is established in the MLS with a professional structure and an exciting atmosphere at their home games of both men’s and women’s team.



As the partnership grows, both sides are confident it will be mutually beneficial.