One of the most famous soccer teams in the world plans to open a school for young players in the Edmonton area.

The FC Barcelona school will open in April at Fuhr Sports Park in Spruce Grove.

The Spanish team will send a technical director from Barcelona to direct and co-ordinate the program in accordance with the club's methods and curriculum.

"The aim of the FCB Escola is to teach the club's methodology and values that have allowed FC Barcelona to develop and bring up to the first team players of such caliber as Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, and Jordi Alba," the club's board said in a statement.

The new academy, which will open on April 26, is not connected to FC Edmonton.

A similar soccer school will open that same day in Mississauga, Ont. FC Barcelona already has a school in Burnaby, B.C.

Once the new clubs open, the team will have 19 FCB schools on five continents.