Chelsea have struck a co-operation deal with Slovenian club Maribor.
Blues in tie-up with Slovenian side
Chelsea have struck a co-operation deal with Maribor.
The English champions travelled to Slovenia and quickly came to an agreement with the club.
Maribor director of sport Zlatko Zahovic explained at a press conference that an accord was swiftly secured with the Stamford Bridge side.
Zahovic explained that Chelsea had been impressed by Maribor's production of young players, with Josip Ilicic and Armin Bacinovic having recently been sold to Palermo.
"They came in Maribor and presented the request for co-operation between the clubs," revealed Zahovic.
Special
"When I asked why exactly our club, I was very surprised. They knew everything about our club. They also specially underlined some players, whom they belive can reach the highest level.
"Their scouting service has come to the conclusion that our club deserves special attention because of our work with young players.
"Examples such as Ilicic, Bacinovic, Dejan Skolnik, Rene Mihelic, Miral Samardzic and others are proof that we are a club who works best with young players in this part of Europe.
"Maribor is a guarantee of success in the eyes of Chelsea. And of course it is great honour that Chelsea came to us and not the other way around as is usually the case.
"Chelsea was really interested in us. They had all the information about our players. I'm sure that in the future someone from Maribor will wear a Chelsea shirt.
"This is special thing for our club and also Slovenian football. We look forward to working together with Chelsea."
