FCD continues to look to be the standard in youth development in MLS.

FC Dallas is always looking to improve its talent base as this week they look to take it even further with a new agreement with German side Bayern Munich.

In a report by the Sports Business Journal (note: this is a paid subscription link), the two sides have signed a comprehensive player development partnership, the first unaffiliated European and MLS clubs to do so.

According to the report, the deal will be announced at some point this week as the club travels to Arizona for their last full week of preseason games before the CONCACAF Champions League. The deal will see the two clubs come together to exchange talent, allowing young players to work with coaches and scouts from both organizations in either country.

In December, three players from FC Dallas traveled to Munich to take part in a 10-day training camp alongside Bayern Munich academy players. Coaches will also look to exchange expertise, as well as organize matches between youth players from each club in the two countries. There is no financial component of the deal, according to both sides, and while there is no specific commercial initiative attached to it either, FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said there is room for the partnership to evolve.

FC Dallas has been one of Major League Soccer’s top producers in Homegrown talent over the years, with 20 HGPs signed to date. Bayern Munich has placed an emphasis on supporting youth soccer since its arrival in the United States, including a partnership with Global Premier Soccer.

I can’t imagine this will be anything like the previous deals with Mexican side Tigres or Brazilian side Paranaense. I wouldn’t imagine that this deal includes a loans for either side initially as it is likely more about training methods, best practices, and information sharing. If anything, this is the kind of deal that will benefit future FCD players from the academy than those that are currently signed on as HGPs.

Time will tell what this deal really will produce for FC Dallas in the long run but seeing them partner with such a large club like this on development is a huge step forward.